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Toothpaste: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Aug. 2006
Toothpaste: Think they whiten? Think again
by Editors of Consumer Reports
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Consumer Reports commissions an outside lab to test 41 different toothpastes for stain removal, abrasiveness and fluoride content - and also notes any burning or bitter tastes. The main focus is on stain… removal (tested on cows' teeth with artificial stains). The review recommends a toothpaste containing triclosan, but a separate article at Consumer Reports Greener Choices recommends against toothpastes containing this ingredient.

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2. Choice.com.au
Jan. 2005
Whitening Toothpastes
by Editors of Choice.com.au
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This review at Choice magazine, Australia's equivalent to Consumer Reports, rates 20 toothpastes only on their whitening ability, based on subjective reports from 753 volunteer testers. (At least 30 people… test each toothpaste.) The top-ranked toothpaste, White Glo Extra Strength Whitening, is not available in the U.S. Colgate Whitening Plus Tartar Control ranks second; 66 percent of testers report whiter teeth after using it twice a day for a month.

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3. Grist.org
Mar. 2008
Bristler's Mother: A family-friendly review of six eco-toothpastes
by Katharine Wroth
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Six "eco-friendly" toothpastes are reviewed here, based on informal two-week tests and ratings by one family with two children, plus information from the Environmental Working Group. Quite a few "natural"… toothpastes are rejected because of taste or texture, and the top-rated toothpaste contains fluoride. This is a fun review to read and it provides numerous personal comments and opinions from the testing family.

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4. Slate.com
Oct. 1998
Paste Test
by Seth Stevenson
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This article is old, but comprehensive and still useful. Seth Stevenson and a bunch of friends test 35 toothpastes for taste and feel, and interview dentists for clinical information to debunk certain myths… and marketing claims about ingredients found in toothpastes. Dentists say that different forms of fluoride are all effective, with slight differences in amount insignificant, but disagree about whether or not stannous fluoride tends to stain teeth. Colgate Total is the winner when it comes to effectiveness, but several others have better taste and texture, and for overall aesthetics, Mentadent Crystal Ice is the top choice.

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5. DentalResource.com
Not Dated
Over the Counter Dental Products
by Jeffrey Kohlhardt, DDS
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Based on his professional education and experience, dentist Jeffrey Kohlhardt recommends Colgate Total for most people aged 20 to 65. For those over 65, he recommends supplementing Colgate Total with… Prevident, a high-fluoride toothpaste available by prescription only. He warns that tartar-control toothpastes can cause mouth sores, and for people with sensitive teeth, recommends Sensodyne or any other toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate. He also includes recommendations for toothbrushes, mouthwash, and more.

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6. SimpleTooth.com
2007
Dental Product Guide - Summer 2007
by Vu Le, DDS
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This dentist recommends fluoride toothpaste that carries the ADA seal - and for adult patients, Colgate Total. The review notes that the fairly new Colgate Total Advanced Clean incorporates similar… stain-removing ingredients used in Ultra brite (also made by Colgate). For sensitive teeth or for people more prone to cavities than gingivitis, he recommends Sensodyne Pronamel with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) for remineralizing teeth. Prescription-strength toothpaste for sensitive teeth is also an option for temporary use.

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7. Signature Dental Care
Not Dated
Abrasive toothpaste linked to increased sensitivity
by John V. Reitz, DDS, FAGD
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment D recommends several less abrasive toothpastes as a precaution against tooth sensitivity and the enamel and gum erosion that some (but not all) patients experience with very abrasive toothpastes. He also identifies specific abrasive toothpastes that he recommends avoiding.
8. Ask Dr. Ellie (blog)
Not Dated
Ask Dr. Ellie
by Ellie Phillips, DDS
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This dentist answers many user-submitted questions on her website about specific toothpastes, ingredients and mouthwashes, for adults, children and infants. Dr. Phillips is a strong proponent of xylitol, but recommends a simple fluoride toothpaste without it - and strongly advises against Colgate Total or any tartar-control or "whitening" toothpaste.
9. Family Gentle Dental Care
Not Dated
Kinds of Toothpaste
by Dan Peterson, DDS
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The two toothpaste articles on this site recommend against "whitening" toothpastes as ineffective, and also against tartar-control toothpastes as ineffective below the gumline and apt to cause sensitivity.… A comprehensive discussion of ingredients is included. Dr. Peterson also warns that many "natural" toothpastes play on unwarranted fears of fluoride, and if they contain vitamin C, can erode enamel. More tips and advice are included.

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10. Drugstore.com
As of June 2008
Toothpaste Reviews
by Contributors to Drugstore.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Users rate and review dozens of toothpastes here, including many brands not tested at Consumer Reports. You can also filter the toothpastes to show just the ones for sensitive teeth or tartar control, etc. Though judgments of taste and texture are quite subjective, this site is still helpful to check.
11. Amazon.com
As of June 2008
Toothpaste
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment You can find toothpaste varieties by the hundreds here, but only a few accumulate enough owner-written reviews to make their average ratings significant. Crest Pro-Health gets especially low ratings and some toothpastes that get high ratings elsewhere receive very low ratings here.
12. Epinions.com
Dec. 2005
Selecting a Toothpaste for Electric Brushing
by Contributors to Epinions.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Unlike most Epinions pages, this is a detailed article about the need to use less abrasive toothpastes with an electric toothbrush. It includes abrasive ratings from the ADA, showing that baking soda is the least abrasive (after plain water). Readers add comments.
13. Vitacost.com
As of June 2008
Toothpaste
by Contributors to Vitacost.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This retail site allows users to submit reviews of products sold here. The site's customers tend to favor alternatives to mainstream toothpastes, and a great many "natural" toothpastes have accumulated a dozen or more reviews and ratings from users. Favored brands include Jason's, Xlear, Nature's Gate, Tom's of Maine, Kiss My Face, Desert Essence and Auromere.
14. MakeupAlley.com
As of June 2008
Toothpaste Reviews
by Contributors to MakeupAlley.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This site features a list of toothpastes with user reviews, and it helpfully shows the rating and number of reviews right on the main page. Toothpaste ratings from customers are nicely consolidated, so you can see the average rating plus the percentage of owners who would buy that toothpaste again.
15. Ethical Consumer
Not dated
Whiter than white
by Editors of Ethical Consumer
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This U.K. toothpaste review discusses controversial toothpaste ingredients and how to identify toothpaste that contains them - e.g. various names for parabens. The review also recommends a few brands of toothpaste that don't contain parabens, triclosan or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
16. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
As of June 2008
Household Products Database
by Editors of the Household Products Database
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This is the most efficient site for checking the ingredients of a specific toothpaste, then finding out about the relevant research on those ingredients. There are ample links to relevant research on the ingredients, but it's important to keep quantities in mind. A toothpaste may contain only a tiny amount that would not be harmful.
17. Environmental Working Group Cosmetics Database
As of June 2008
Toothpaste
by Editors of CosmeticsDatabase.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

If you want to know every possible thing that might be wrong with every single ingredient in a toothpaste, this is the site to check. It's a bit discouraging, however, since no toothpaste rates a totally… hazard-free score. The main problem is that editors don't distinguish toxic effects from extremely high exposures (chemical spills or daily factory work producing a chemical) and tiny exposures from using toothpaste and rinsing it out. The database does let you look up an ingredient, however, to check out the research for yourself.

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