Whitening toothpastes are meant to remove stains and at the same time protect against cavities. In a test conducted by the Association for Consumer Information (VKI) and Germany’s Stiftung Warentest, however, three out of 17 products failed in cavity prevention: they provided “little or no protection” against cavities. Thirteen toothpastes were rated as recommendable, with four receiving a rating of “very good.” Two products were downgraded for containing titanium dioxide.
All tested toothpastes removed discoloration. But when it came to cavity protection, results varied. “Effective cavity prevention is, according to current scientific knowledge, only possible with fluoride,” said VKI project manager Christian Undeutsch. One manufacturer instead relied on hydroxyapatite. “There is currently no reliable scientific evidence that it provides sufficient preventive protection against cavities.” That toothpaste was rated “unsatisfactory.” Two other toothpastes were rated “less satisfactory” due to the type and concentration of fluoride they used.
Products Downgraded For Titanium Dioxide
Negative marks were also given for the use of titanium dioxide. “This white pigment is suspected of damaging genetic material if ingested,” explained Undeutsch. “That is why it has been banned in food for three years.” In cosmetic products that may be partly swallowed, a gene-damaging effect cannot be ruled out. “As long as there is no proof that titanium dioxide is harmless, we cannot recommend products with this ingredient as a precaution.” Another toothpaste was downgraded for containing the chelating agent EDTA, a chemical that can impair drinking water quality.
Several tubes were lined with a thin layer of aluminum, making them difficult to recycle. Almost all products were additionally packaged in what testers called “unnecessary” cardboard boxes.
“Even the best whitening toothpaste cannot make teeth permanently whiter than they are naturally. At best, whitening toothpastes only restore the original tooth color,” said the VKI expert. These products do not provide a real bleaching effect—that can only be achieved with a professional bleaching treatment.
