Toothpaste at Stiftung Warentest: Is your toothpaste one of the test winners or losers?
Created: 06/07/2022, 09:44
By: Maria Wendel
Stiftung Warentest took a close look at 40 toothpastes.
Some of the most expensive products fail the test.
The test winners also include very cheap toothpastes.
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Stiftung Warentest carried out toothpaste comparisons in 2019 and 2020, the results of which are partly unchanged in this year's test.
31
toothpastes
have now been re-examined.
Not only the
big price differences
are noticeable: consumers can pay between 55 cents and 11 euros for a tube of toothpaste.
Also the range of
quality assessments by Stiftung Warentest
ranges from "very good" to "inadequate".
And here, as is so often the case, more expensive does not automatically mean better.
Even some toothpaste from discounters or supermarkets for little money could achieve a top grade in the comparison.
Trade brands from Aldi, Lidl, dm or Rossmann were examined, as well as well-known brands such as Colgate, Blend-a-med, Odol-med-3 and Elmex as well as natural cosmetic pastes.
What is universal toothpaste?
Products of the “
universal toothpaste
” type were tested.
These offer standard care for normal teeth, which means positive effects for teeth, gums and protection against tooth decay.
This makes them suitable for all teeth.
There are also
sensitive toothpastes
for people with sensitive teeth - which, according to the Stiftung Warentest, affects one in four Germans - and
whitening toothpastes
.
Daily brushing of teeth is important for oral hygiene and health.
Stiftung Warentest has examined how well different toothpastes help against tooth decay.
© Andrey Popov/Imago
According to the Stiftung Warentest, this is what makes a good toothpaste: fluoride, titanium dioxide, abrasion
Depending on who you ask, fluoride is the subject of criticism: if swallowed in large quantities, the substance can have a toxic effect, but an overdose is hardly conceivable in Germany.
According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians,
fluorides
are the best means of caries prevention.
According to Stiftung Warentest, the
protective effect against tooth decay
has been proven in numerous high-quality studies.
Nevertheless, some toothpaste suppliers do not add fluoride, especially natural cosmetics manufacturers.
On the other hand, Stiftung Warentest is critical of the use of the substance
titanium dioxide,
which some manufacturers use to whiten their pastes.
As of August, this pigment will even be banned in food in the EU because it could damage genetic material if it gets into the body – which can happen when brushing your teeth by accidentally swallowing it.
Titanium dioxide is unnecessary for dental care, which is why Stiftung Warentest recommends toothpaste without the pigment, of which there are 19 products in the test.
Furthermore, the
abrasion of a toothpaste
decisive.
This varies depending on the amount, size, shape and type of cleaning agent added to the cream.
With healthy teeth, a high level of abrasion is fine, with sensitive teeth, a low level of abrasion is recommended.
However, the study by Stiftung Warentest shows that some pastes are effective at removing discoloration from the teeth, even with low abrasion.
Test winner at Stiftung Warentest 2022: The five best toothpastes
toothpaste | Average retail price | Verdict by Stiftung Warentest |
|---|---|---|
Oral-B Professional Gums and Enamel Pro-Repair Extra Fresh | 3.90 euros (for 75 ml content) | very good (1.2) |
Meridol gum protection toothpaste | 3.30 euros (for 75 ml content) | very good (1.3) |
Kaufland Bevola Fresh Toothpaste | 0.55 euros (for 125 ml content) | very good (1.3) |
Signal organic toothpaste | 1.99 euros (for 75 ml content) | very good (1.4) |
dm Dontodent toothpaste antibacterial | 0.75 euros (for 125 ml content) | very good (1.5) |
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In the toothpaste test of 2019, the
Colgate Complete 8 Natural Herbs
(promotional link) for 0.99 euros (75 ml content) was also able to convince with a rating of "very good" (1.4).
Six out of 40 toothpastes tested were able to achieve top marks.
As you can see, the
test winners
not only include expensive branded products, but also toothpastes from Kaufland and dm, which are available at reasonable prices.
dm's own brands were also convincing in the sunscreen test by Stiftung Warentest.
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Verdict "inadequate": Stiftung Warentest advises against these toothpastes
A total of twelve products only received the
grade "poor"
from Stiftung Warentest and thus failed the tests of 2022, 2020 and 2019.
toothpaste | Verdict by Stiftung Warentest |
|---|---|
Ajona medicinal toothpaste concentrate | poor (5.0) |
Bioniq repair toothpaste | poor (5.0) |
Sante Dental Med Tooth Gel Vitamin B12 fluoride-free | poor (5.0) |
Weleda Calendula Toothpaste | poor (5.0) |
dr Hauschka mint toothpaste forte* | poor (5.0) |
Droste-Laux toothpaste with Epiphany gifts* | poor (5.0) |
Eco Cosmetics toothpaste with black cumin* | poor (5.0) |
Himalayan Neem & Pomegranate* | poor (5.0) |
Lavera Complete Care Fluoride-free* | poor (5.0) |
Logodent Extra Fresh Peppermint Toothpaste* | poor (5.0) |
Orbimed organic toothpaste with vitamin B12* | poor (5.0) |
dr Bronner's Fluoride Free Peppermint Toothpaste** | poor (5.0) |
* Universal toothpaste comparison 10/2020
** Universal toothpaste comparison 10/2019
The complete test results can be found on the Stiftung Warentest website (behind a payment barrier).
(mad)
