The 5 Best Purple Toothpastes Dentists and Users Trust for Brighter, Whiter Smiles
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Dentists reveal why they temporarily work
People / Kristin Kempa
In a world where blindingly white teeth are idealized, it's easy to want a dazzling smile. You've probably seen ads for purple toothpaste and the near-instant whitening results it provides. Curious about how effective these toothpastes are, we decided to dive into the research.
Since they're not a permanent solution and aren't accepted by the American Dental Association, many dentists won't recommend purple toothpastes to their patients. However, these products provide a temporary brightening effect that could be advantageous for a big event or a night out.
Did You Know?
In order for a toothpaste to be ADA-accepted, it must contain fluoride, an ingredient renowned for its enamel-strengthening qualities. Since current purple toothpastes focus solely on aesthetics (not oral care fundamentals), they’ve yet to earn the seal.
"Purple toothpaste is a type of toothpaste that contains purple water-soluble dyes that make teeth appear whiter,” says Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and owner of Skin to Smile. “Purple toothpaste takes advantage of the color theory — complementary colors [like purple and yellow] on the color wheel cancel each other out.” This can create the optical illusion of bright white teeth, she explains. It works on natural and manufactured teeth, which is notable considering whitening strips and gels typically only work on natural teeth.
If you're interested in trying one of these quick-brightening solutions, read on for our picks of the best purple toothpastes available.
Best Overall: Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum
The Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum is by far the most popular purple dental care product on the market. Technically a serum (not a paste), the dark violet goo is formulated with Red No. 33 and Blue No. 1 dyes to mix together to create the ideal purple hue to neutralize yellow teeth. The exact dye mixture the brand uses is known as V34. “Hismile V34 Colour Corrector claims to have the highest concentration of the color correcting dye V34 and therefore delivers the best results,” Dr. Gonchar says.
It’s this specific purple toothpaste that’s created the category craze. On TikTok alone, mentions of Hismile have accumulated over 227 million views. So, if you’re curious to give the dental trend a try, this is a good place to start.
Ingredients: Glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, Red No. 33, Blue No. 1 | Formula: Serum | Flavor: Peppermint
Best Drugstore: Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste
If you’re in search of a purple toothpaste formulated by a classic oral care brand, you’re in luck. The Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste earns high praise for its effective neutralizing power as well as the inclusion of fluoride. (Though it’s still not ADA-accepted since the innovation is still relatively new in the big scheme of things.)
“Crest 3D White Brilliance Purple is from a well-established dental brand [and has] a very pleasant taste [with] the added benefit of containing fluoride to deliver protection against cavities,” Dr. Gonchar points out. That said, of all the purple toothpastes we’re introducing you to, this one is the palest of all and claims to offer whiter teeth within three days of use as opposed to immediately. Still, shoppers say that the paste works well to brighten teeth and naturalize bad breath.
Ingredients: Fluoride, glycerin, Red No. 40, Blue No. 1 | Formula: Paste | Flavor: Mint
Best for Sensitive Teeth: BLAQ Ultra Violet Colour Corrector
Blaq is an LGBTQIA+-owned Australian beauty brand that’s all about being unapologetically yourself. Part of that, though, is knowing that it’s totally okay to want to address pain points in appearance. Because of that, the brand released its luxe Ultra Violet Colour Corrector. Marketed as “purple shampoo for your teeth,” this ultra-dark purple tooth serum is designed to sink into every nook and cranny of your teeth to reveal a bright white smile in two minutes flat.
Ingredients: Glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, Red No. 33, Blue No. 1 | Formula: Serum | Flavor: Peppermint
Best Foam: Nolipem Purple Tooth Whitening Foam
While most purple toothpastes come in the form of thick serums, the Nolipem Purple Tooth Whitening Foam pumps out fluffy plumes that make brushing a bit more fun. “The Nolipem Purple Tooth Whitening Foam is formulated in a foam instead of a paste, making the delivery a little less messy and less likely to get on your clothing or other surfaces,” Dr. Gonchar says. Despite the textural differences, this purple toothpaste is formulated with the same neutralizing V-34 dye as many others on this list.
Ingredients: Glycerin, sorbitol | Formula: Foam | Flavor: Mint
Best Natural: Meoly Purple Toothpaste
Last but not least, we have the Meoly Purple Toothpaste, another popular Amazon find. Unlike the other purple toothpastes on this list, the Meoly Purple Toothpaste relies on herbal ingredients to enhance the color and flavor of the product. Where blueberries are said to be used to create the purple color, natural menthol is to thank for the ultra-fresh flavor.
Ingredients: Glycerin, blueberries, menthol | Formula: Serum | Flavor: Menthol
What to Know About Purple Toothpastes
Formula
The formula you choose is a personal preference. Whether you opt for a serum, foam, or true paste, the purple toothpaste you pick will have the same end goal of working to neutralize stains. That said, buy your favorite texture and enjoy the temporary benefits of the product.
However, if you’re looking for a purple toothpaste to replace your regular toothpaste altogether, you should reconsider. “Remember, the most important qualities of toothpaste are its ability to clean teeth and prevent oral diseases like cavities and gum disease,” Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, CEO of TruGlo Modern Dental, explains. “Ingredients like fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and fights decay, are important for maintaining oral health. We know that many purple toothpastes also do not contain fluoride, which we do know from studies will lead to an increase in decay or cavities for the person using the toothpaste.”
When using purple toothpaste, it’s imperative that you also use a fluoride-infused formula to protect your teeth and fortify your enamel (our Crest pick contains both the stain-neutralizing effect of purple dye as well as fluoride). For those formulas without fluoride, you may consider a two-step approach and either brush with a fluoride toothpaste or rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.
Flavor
Most purple toothpastes feature a mint flavor; however, some taste like peppermint, while others have spearmint or crisp menthol profiles, like the Meoly toothpaste. If you’re particular about taste, you’ll want to key into this characteristic before buying a tube or bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does purple toothpaste work?
The question of whether or not purple toothpaste works is rather misleading. The assumption is that if it works to neutralize stains, it will rid teeth of yellowness altogether over time. That’s not the case, though. As Beverly Hills-based cosmetic and biomimetic dentist Dr. Matt Nejad points out, it’s an optical illusion. “Purple toothpastes create the illusion of whiter teeth and do not actually whiten teeth,” he says. “It is a temporary benefit when the toothpaste is used, and it does not alter the intrinsic color of the teeth as professional teeth-whitening treatments do.” For true whitening, opt for whitening strips, whitening pens, or an LED kit.
Is purple toothpaste safe?
Purple toothpaste is crafted with food-grade dyes. While safe to use as a means for achieving temporarily brighter, whiter teeth, Dr. Kalasho says that using purple toothpastes as your primary brushing agent isn’t safe for the longevity of your teeth. As a result, you'll want to be sure to frequently brush with a fluoride-infused toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay.
Can purple toothpaste cause staining?
Purple toothpaste won’t stain your teeth, but it can stain your clothing and sink. While spot-cleaning your clothes and scrubbing your sink with a Magic Eraser should do the trick, that’s still an extra step that purple toothpastes may require that classic toothpastes don’t.
How often do you need to use purple toothpaste to see results?
Most purple toothpastes (specifically the ultra-dark ones) are designed to offer immediate benefits; paler purple toothpastes may take a few days to really set in. “Keep in mind that these results are temporary, so continuous use is necessary to maintain the effect,” Dr. Nejad reminds us.
Take Our Word For It
Rebecca Norris has worked in beauty and wellness journalism for over 10 years. For this story, she spoke with Dr. Matt Nejad, Dr. Marina Gonchar, and Dr. Rhonda Kalasho to determine whether purple toothpastes are worth the TikTok hype. Learning that purple toothpaste is safe to use for temporary whitening benefits (though not recommended as a sole oral care product), she set out to find the highest-rated formulas on the market. In doing so, she discovered a variety of popular purple toothpastes, including one that’s actually formulated with fluoride, making it more appealing to dentists.
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Matt Nejad is an expert biomimetic and esthetic dentist in Beverly Hills, Calif., and a Fellow of the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry.
Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD, is a board-certified orthodontist in Morristown, N.J.
Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, is CEO of TruGLO Modern Dental in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Calabasas, Calif.
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