Main image courtesy of Hismile.
Everybody wants a beautiful smile. Straight, white teeth are the ideal – but it can take some work to achieve. Whether you’re a coffee lover, your teeth show stains from smoking, or they just aren’t their brightest thanks to the wear and tear of everyday life, people are always looking for new ways to give their smile a boost without causing tooth pain and sensitivity.
If you’re anywhere near social media – especially TikTok – you’re probably familiar with the violet-hued sensation that’s sweeping the nation. That’s right, today we’re talking about purple toothpaste. What it is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth the hype.
Keep reading to get the full scoop on:
- Hismile – the purple toothpaste that’s taking over your social feeds
- The science behind purple toothpaste
- Purple toothpaste alternatives
Background on Everyone’s Favorite Viral Purple Toothpaste
Meet Hismile, the Toothpaste Company Putting Purple Paste on the Map… and Your Social Media Feeds
Hismile (“Hi Smile”) is the dental cosmetics company based in Queensland, Australia that has been getting a lot of screen time lately. They’re known for several products…
Toothpastes that come in fun flavors like watermelon, coconut whip, red velvet, and peach iced tea.
“Tooth Gloss” that promises to add some extra shine to your teeth.
And recently, even tooth stickers (apparently inspired by the ones teachers stuck to your exams in elementary school) designed to give your chompers some kidcore style.
But the product that has really taken the internet by storm is, of course, their purple product. Marketed as a color corrector for your teeth, the purple goop isn’t a toothpaste in the traditional sense – you’ll still need something else for brushing.
How Does Purple Toothpaste Work?
Spoiler: It Uses Color Theory to Hide the Yellow in Your Smile
You may have seen videos of influencers applying purple toothpaste to one of their teeth and moments later revealing the dramatic whitening results – but how does it work?
It all comes down to color theory. In makeup, color correctors use a pigment that is opposite the shades you might want to cover in your complexion – green masks redness, yellow helps balance out purple, and so on.
Dental color correctors work the same way. Since purple is opposite of yellow on the color wheel, a mild purple dye should mask yellow tones in your teeth.
Normal over the counter whitening products typically contain abrasives that can cause tooth and gum sensitivity, so they aren’t a great option for all people. Since it contains no abrasive compounds, purple toothpaste is an exciting alternative.
Does Purple Toothpaste Actually Work?
TLDR; It Really Depends on the Situation
Purple toothpaste can be an effective way to treat yellow teeth… in certain cases.
It won’t actually whiten your teeth or remove stains – it simply neutralizes their appearance.
If you have stains deep in your teeth enamel, purple toothpaste won’t be especially effective. Reviews on the Hismile site as well as other platforms like Reddit are mixed – some people see a dramatic improvement in the appearance of their teeth, but others don’t see much change. One thing is consistent though – there aren’t really any negative side effects, so if you try it and it doesn’t work, you’ll just be out $24.
For many people, purple toothpaste is a good quick fix before a photo op or special event – although the effects do wear off.
That’s why most dentists recommend a more permanent whitening solution that is approved by the American Dental Association rather than a temporary fix like purple toothpaste, which is not ADA-approved.
Alternatives to Purple Toothpaste
Additional Whitening Options if Purple Toothpaste Isn’t For You
Looking for a solution that will leave your pearly whites bright and shiny for longer? There are plenty of other whitening options available.
- Professional Teeth Whitening. Having your teeth whitened by a dentist will give you safer, more dramatic, and longer lasting results than OTC solutions.
- Whitening Strips. They’ve been a staple in the world of tooth whitening for a while – and that’s because they work well for many people. The results won’t last forever (and many strips do contain chemicals that may be irritating to some people), but they are a tried and true OTC option as well.
- PAP+ Whitening Powder. Another offering from Hismile, PAP+ whitening powder is a solution for actually whitening your teeth, rather than simply color correcting them. It is designed to remove surface stains without causing pain or sensitivity, and dentists agree that it does what it claims.
That’s It for Our Tour of Purple Toothpaste Products.
The viral purple toothpaste making its rounds on social media makes some big claims – but when it comes down to it, it is a cosmetic solution rather than a true dental solution for tooth whitening.
Purple toothpaste makes a great quick fix for many people before a big event or photo op, but for longer lasting whitening results, you’ll want to look into other options or speak with your dentist.
Have questions about teeth whitening? We’re here to help! Elizabeth Wakim, DDS, is the #1 Dentist in Washington, PA for a reason. Give us a call today or drop us a line on our contact page, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
