Stiftung Warentest has tested toothpaste. Five products performed very well, and an inexpensive toothpaste is also at the forefront.
Munich – For some time now, toothpastes have been a thorn in the side of many consumer advocates. A large number of carcinogenic substances, which are mainly contained in pastes that promise "naturally white teeth", are problematic. A study by Stiftung Warentest showed significant improvements.
| Organization | Stiftung Warentest |
| Foundation | 4 December 1964 |
| Head office | Berlin |
Stiftung Warentest: Carcinogenic substance disappeared from many toothpastes
For years, many well-known toothpastes have failed studies by Stiftung Warentest and Öko-Test. Above all, the substance titanium dioxide leads to particularly poor test results. This is suspected of being carcinogenic. The substance was not only frequently found in toothpaste for adults, but also in children's toothpaste. In an eco-test, 19 out of 48 toothpaste products failed, including many well-known brands such as Colgate, blend-a-med and Signal.
5 out of 24 tested universal toothpastes scored "very good" at Stiftung Warentest. © R. Rebmann/Imago (symbolic image)
In a study by Stiftung Warentest from May 2023, many well-known toothpaste brands and their products were also scrutinized. There, too, toothpastes with the pigment titanium dioxide are strongly discouraged: "Since August 2022, it has been banned in food throughout the EU, as it may damage the genetic material if it enters the body." For the latest test, only universal toothpastes without titanium dioxide were considered. In older tests, many toothpastes with the substance can still be found.
These universal toothpastes still fail Stiftung Warentest
24 toothpastes without titanium dioxide have been added with the new test. As Stiftung Warentest writes, "the others are from past tests and available unchanged." What stands out in the study by Stiftung Warentest is the positive performance of inexpensive toothpastes. The test winner with an overall score of 1.4 is Rossmann's "Prokudent Med" for 69 cents (as of April 11, 2023). As many as 4 toothpastes received a rating of 1.5. Only one of them cost more than 65 cents: the "Gum & Enamel Repair Extra Fresh" from Oral-B – the price was 3.05 euros (as of April 11, 2023).
Here you will find a selection of tested universal toothpastes:
| Enterprise | Name of toothpaste | Price | Quality Judgement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rossmann | Prokudent Med | 0,69 Euro | 1.4 (very good) |
| Edeka | Electrolytic capacitors Dentamax Fluor Fresh Tooth Gel | 0,62 Euro | 1.5 (very good) |
| Colgate | Totally Original | 2,47 Euro | 1.7 (good) |
| Pearls & Dents | Exclusive medical toothpaste | 5,25 Euro | 2.6 (satisfactory) |
| Sensodyne | ProSchmelz Daily Toothpaste | 3,45 Euro | 2.8 (satisfactory) |
Unlike the March 2023 eco-test, no universal toothpastes failed. The worst rating was given to the "Exclusive Medical Toothpaste with Natural Pearl System" from Pearls & Dents with a 2.6. The lower-rated toothpastes often received point deductions due to poor packaging or only sufficient removal of discoloration. The complete test result from Stiftung Warentest is available for a fee on the website.