We brush our teeth at least twice a day, yet how much attention do we really pay to choosing toothpaste? We often rely on advertising, offers, writing on packaging or, out of laziness, we continue to buy what we have always used. But not all toothpastes are the same, and the difference between a good one and a bad one can affect the health of our enamel in the long term.
To orient ourselves in this sea of colored tubes, the new test comes in handy Altroconsumowhich tested 15 of the most popular toothpastes in Italian large-scale retail trade. The products have been analyzed in the laboratory, evaluated by over 700 consumers and also examined for their environmental impact.
The results? The most eloquent data from the test is this: no toothpaste was considered to be of excellent quality, and only 4 out of 15 achieved good quality. The majority, eight products, stop at medium quality, while three end up in the low range. A situation that should give pause for thought, especially considering the often high prices of certain brands.
Some products were penalized by the presence of controversial ingredients: titanium dioxide (a white dye not considered safe for a product that comes into contact with mucous membranes) and some potential endocrine disruptors, substances suspected of altering the hormonal system.
The ranking of toothpastes
At the top of the ranking is Mentadent Professional Protect + Caries with 65 points, voted best in the test. Immediately behind is the Aquafresh Triple Protection Fresh Mint with 64 points, which earns the title of best purchase thanks to the low price of just 1.55 euros per pack, less than a third compared to some competitors who however obtain lower scores.
Among the negative surprises, products with strong commercial appeal stand out: Marvis Classic Strong Mint, Oral B Pro-Expert and above all Pasta del Capitano Placca and Carie, which with just 27 points ranks last overall. Sensodyne, often recommended for sensitive teeth, stops at 55 points with medium quality.
This test also shows us that spending more does not always guarantee a better product. And attractive packaging or a historic brand say nothing about the real quality of the individual references.
But let’s now discover the complete ranking:
How the test was conducted
The researchers analyzed each product considering 5 main aspects. The available fluoride accounts for 15% of the final judgment: it is the substance that protects the enamel from wear and its effective concentration must fall between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm.
Abrasiveness, on the other hand, is the most important parameter of the entire test, with a weight of 30%: too aggressive toothpaste risks damaging the teeth with prolonged use.
The ability to remove stains from coffee and wine accounts for 20%, while the environmental impact – ingredients and packaging – accounts for 10%. Labeling (10%) and consumer testing (15%) come next.
