A conspiracy theory circulating online claims that toothpastes contain secret codes that only "elites" know how to decipher. Dentists and toothpaste manufacturers refute the theory and explain that the colored squares at the end of the tube are intended for the light sensors in the production process.

Colgate, Crest and all these (toothpaste manufacturers) claim that these little dots don't say anything about the ingredients. The marks and colors are read by sensors and determine when the tube should be cut and sealed so that the tube is the right size.