Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Quip earns a gold tier by offering an ADA-accepted, SLS-free formula at a highly accessible price point. While it uses standard Sodium Fluoride rather than the gold-standard Stannous Fluoride or Nano-hydroxyapatite, its lack of artificial dyes and harsh surfactants makes it a superior choice for daily use compared to budget competitors.
Sources & References
More in
Colgate
Optic White Renewal Whitening Toothpaste
While this product is clinically proven to whiten teeth effectively with 3% hydrogen peroxide, it contains two major category red flags: SLS (a harsh surfactant) and heavy peroxides, which can cause significant sensitivity and soft tissue irritation. It uses standard Sodium Monofluorophosphate for remineralization rather than the gold-standard nano-hydroxyapatite, and at nearly $3.30 per ounce, it represents poor value compared to premium, low-abrasion health-focused brands.
Davids
Natural Peppermint Toothpaste
Davids earns high marks for its gold-standard aluminum packaging and the use of gentle, SLS-free surfactants (Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate). However, this specific version lacks a remineralization agent like Fluoride or Nano-hydroxyapatite, which is a primary functional requirement in the category research. While it is a high-quality 'clean' cleanser, it falls short of the Gold tier due to the absence of active enamel-repair ingredients.
Arm & Hammer
Advance White Extreme Whitening
While this toothpaste carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance and features an exceptionally low RDA score (approx. 42) due to its baking soda base, it falls into the silver tier because it uses basic Sodium Fluoride rather than premium Stannous Fluoride or Nano-hydroxyapatite. The formulation contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and artificial dyes, which are noted as red flags in the gold standard criteria, and it uses standard plastic laminate packaging.
Dr. Bronner's
Peppermint All-One Toothpaste
While the product uses high-quality organic and fair-trade ingredients, it fails the primary functional requirement for quality toothpaste: it contains no remineralization agent (neither Fluoride nor Nano-hydroxyapatite). This is a significant red flag that leaves enamel unprotected against decay, regardless of the 'clean' formulation.