Toothpaste should protect the teeth against caries, but should also not contain any harmful ingredients. However, many toothpastes fail to meet these two requirements, according to a current study by Öko-Test. Of the 48 toothpastes tested, only eleven received the grade “good” or “very good”. On the other hand, the testers rated 17 products as “unsatisfactory”, two others as “poor”.
The biggest point of criticism from Öko-Test is the use of the whitening agent titanium dioxide. The substance is suspected of damaging the human genome and causing cancer. It has therefore been banned in food since last year. The EU is currently examining whether the ban will also be extended to toothpaste because it can also be swallowed.
In the current test, 21 out of 48 toothpastes still contain the controversial titanium dioxide. “However, many manufacturers reported back to us that they had already changed their recipes or would change them in the near future,” writes Öko-Test. A development that the testers expressly welcome.
In addition to titanium dioxide, Öko-Test also criticizes other questionable ingredients. For example, 14 toothpastes contained the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates a nice foam but irritates the mucous membranes. Ten products also contained questionable PEG or PEG derivatives. However, some of the organic toothpastes examined were contaminated with lead.
Many certified natural cosmetic toothpastes also have another problem: they do not contain the protective active ingredient fluoride, although dentists recommend it for daily tooth decay prevention. Toothpastes without fluoride therefore fail the Öko-Test.
The test losers also include numerous well-known branded products such as Aronal, Blend-A-Med or Colgate. The classic from Elmex, on the other hand, is “good”, which, in a modification of the well-known advertising slogan, led Öko-Test to write the headline: “Elmex in the evening, no Aronal in the morning”. Nine products rated “very good” perform even better than Elmex.
The test winners include the organic brands Alverde 5 in 1 natural mint toothpaste (DM), Bioturm organic mint toothpaste with fluoride and Happy Brush Natural Superfresh. Also “very good” are the conventional universal toothpastes Bevola Herbal Toothpaste (Kaufland), Dentalux Triple Protection Freshness Gel (Lidl), Diadent Fluor Fresh Toothpaste (Netto/Budni), Dontodent Herbal Toothpaste (DM), Elkos Denta Max Fluor Fresh Toothpaste (Edeka) and Eurodent toothpaste Coolfresh (Aldi).
All test results can be found on the Öko-Test website
