Why Do Toothpaste Strips Don’t Mix and What You Can Do About It?

One of the most interesting facts about striped toothpaste is that these stripes don’t mix while they are in the tube. Have you ever wondered why toothpaste stripes don’t mix? Well, toothpaste is known as a non-Newtonian fluid. It does not act like a regular fluid or a regular solid.

It’s viscosity and density make it act like a solid material unless a shear force is applied on it. So, when the toothpaste stays in the tube, it acts like a solid and we all know that the molecules of solid materials don’t mix together.

But, when you take the toothpaste out of the tube and brush your teeth with it, the shear force applied on it causes it to act like a liquid and the colors mix together.

In this article, we will dig deep into the causes behind toothpaste stripes staying separate. Let’s begin.

Why Do Toothpaste Strips Don’t Mix and What You Can Do About It?

How toothpaste stripes work?

In many popular brands of toothpastes you’ve likely noticed different colored lines. And if you’ve brushed your teeth with them, then you know that each stripe of these toothpaste have a different flavor.

Hence, why do these stripes exist in certain toothpaste? These stripes make the toothpaste look quite attractive. Each of these lines/stripes has its own function. Stripe toothpaste ingredients are divided in these lines so that each can perform its specific task.

Typically, striped toothpaste have three lines: red, blue and white. However, there are some striped toothpastes in the market that are made out of different colored gels.

The blue line of a 3 color toothpaste contains a special chemical that removes the bad smell from your mouth. Hence, the white line inside striped toothpaste has fluoride in it that prevents cavities.

The red line contains peppermint oil and menthol that provides a nice smell.

How toothpaste stripes work?

What Causes Toothpaste Stripes Not To Mix?

Some people believe that the tube of striped toothpaste has separate compartments inside them that prevent the different colored stripes to mix. However, that is not the case. Rather, all the stripes are contained in the same tube. Toothpaste stripes are kept separate because of their physical and chemical properties.

When these toothpaste are produced in the factory, different colored toothpaste are merged together through different nozzles. As toothpaste has a high viscosity, these different colored pastes do not mix.

Even when you squeeze it out of the tube, it still stays separate as the force exerted on the paste during that time is not enough to cause the stripes to mix.

What Causes Toothpaste Stripes Not To Mix?
What Causes Toothpaste Stripes Not To Mix?

Some solutions to make toothpaste stripes mix

Since toothpaste does not act like a liquid, its ingredients do not diffuse into each other and create a mixture. That’s the reason why when you squeeze the toothpaste’s tube, the different stripes maintains their shape and don’t turn into a mixture.

However, mixing the stripes together before brushing your teeth will enhance the ability of the toothpaste to clean your teeth.

Some solutions to make toothpaste stripes mix

Here are some steps that you can take to mix the striped toothpaste:

Take the Toothpaste Out

At first, you have to squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube into a small saucer, or plastic plate. You can also pour it out directly onto your brush.

Mix Some Water

Next, you should rinse the toothpaste with a small amount of water. This will liquify some of the toothpaste’s ingredients and make it easy for you to mix the stripes.

Start Mixing the Paste

Now, take a small plastic spoon and start mixing the different stripes by slowly stirring it with the spoon.

Brush Your Teeth

Once you’re done mixing the stripes, it’s different colored stripes will turn into a single mixed color. Now, you can start brushing your teeth with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between regular toothpaste and whitening toothpaste?

Regular toothpaste contain mildly abrasive chemicals that are used to remove stains, germs and food particles from the teeth. But, whitening toothpaste contain stronger chemicals that are specially made to remove stubborn stains from the teeth.

For instance, the best whitening toothpaste Colgate Optic White Whitening Toothpaste contains bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and silica.

What are the benefits of using natural toothpaste for whitening?

Natural toothpastes do not contain any harmful and abrasive chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth’s enamel. They contain natural ingredients like silica to whiten the teeth.

Do whitening toothpastes really work or are they just gimmicks?

No, whitening toothpaste are not just gimmick. They contain bleaching chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide that removes the nasty stains from your teeth and make then appear whiter.

Why do some natural toothpastes have stripes while others don’t have stripes on them?

Natural toothpaste that don’t have any stripes have all of their ingredients mixed up together. And the ones that contain stripes have different ingredients in different colored stripes. Each of these stripes serve its own purpose.

How Does Toothpaste Always Come Out Striped? 

The stripes of striped toothpaste are able to retain their form because of their composition. Their chemical composition allows them to act like a solid object even under different levels of pressure. 

That’s the reason why when you squeeze the toothpaste’s tube, the different colored paste comes while sticking to each other without getting mixed.

Final Thoughts

At this point, you should have a clear grasp of why toothpaste stripes do not mix. Toothpaste manufacturers utilize an innovative production process to make sure these beautiful and colorful stripes don’t get mixed up together, and retain its design.

We have also discussed a tested method of mixing these stripes before brushing your teeth. Hopefully, you’ve found this method helpful in the future.

Also, read – How To Cut Striped Toothpaste In Half? – Easy Method

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