Is Total Dentifrice Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Colgate
Total Dentifrice is one of the oral care products analyzed by Zerotox for Colgate. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Sucralose affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium saccharin, which are synthetic additives that raise quality concerns. The presence of fluoride is beneficial for dental health but also indicates a processed formulation.
Main concern
Includes sodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant that can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains sodium fluoride, which is effective in preventing cavities and promoting dental health.
- Incorporates hydrated silica, a mild abrasive that aids in cleaning teeth without excessive wear.
Concerns
- Includes sodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant that can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Contains sodium saccharin, an artificial sweetener that raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this oral care.
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Is Glycerin safe in this oral care?
Good
Glycerin is used here as base. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the dentifrice, contributing to a smooth texture and preventing dryness.
Role in formula: base
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Hydrated Silica safe in this oral care?
Good
Hydrated Silica is used here as abrasive. Hydrated silica serves as a mild abrasive, effectively cleaning teeth while minimizing the risk of enamel wear.
Role in formula: abrasive
Original: Hydrated Silica
-
Is Aqua safe in this oral care?
Good
Aqua is used here as solvent. Aqua acts as a solvent, dissolving other ingredients and providing the necessary consistency for the dentifrice.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: Aqua
-
Is Calcium Pyrophosphate safe in this oral care?
Medium
Calcium Pyrophosphate is used here as stabilizer. Calcium pyrophosphate is used to help prevent tartar buildup, but its effectiveness can vary among individuals.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Calcium Pyrophosphate
-
Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate safe in this oral care?
Bad
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used here as surfactant. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common surfactant that can cause irritation in some users, raising concerns about its inclusion in oral care products.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
-
Is Arginine safe in this oral care?
Good
Arginine is used here as natural_extract. Arginine is an amino acid that may help in remineralizing enamel and improving overall oral health.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Arginine
-
Is Aroma safe in this oral care?
Medium
Aroma is used here as flavor. Aroma is used to enhance the flavor of the dentifrice, but its specific composition is often undisclosed, raising some concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Aroma
-
Is Cellulose Gum safe in this oral care?
Medium
Cellulose Gum is used here as thickener. Cellulose gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cellulose Gum
-
Is Zinc Oxide safe in this oral care?
Good
Zinc Oxide is used here as antimicrobial. Zinc oxide has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce oral bacteria, contributing to better oral hygiene.
Role in formula: antimicrobial
Original: Zinc Oxide
-
Is Poloxamer 407 safe in this oral care?
Medium
Poloxamer 407 is used here as surfactant. Poloxamer 407 is a synthetic surfactant that aids in the dispersion of ingredients but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: Poloxamer 407
-
Is Zinc Citrate safe in this oral care?
Good
Zinc Citrate is used here as antimicrobial. Zinc citrate is effective in reducing plaque and has antimicrobial properties, supporting oral health.
Role in formula: antimicrobial
Original: Zinc Citrate
-
Is Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate safe in this oral care?
Medium
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate is used here as stabilizer. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate helps prevent tartar buildup but is a processed ingredient with potential concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
Read the full ingredient profile for Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this oral care?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Xanthan Gum
-
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine safe in this oral care?
Medium
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is used here as surfactant. Cocamidopropyl betaine is a surfactant derived from coconut oil, which can be milder than other surfactants but still raises concerns.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: Cocamidopropyl Betaine
-
Is Sodium Fluoride safe in this oral care?
Good
Sodium Fluoride is used here as antimicrobial. Sodium fluoride is a key ingredient for cavity prevention, effectively strengthening enamel and reducing decay.
Role in formula: antimicrobial
Original: Sodium Fluoride
-
Is Sodium Saccharin safe in this oral care?
Bad
Sodium Saccharin is used here as sweetener. Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sodium Saccharin
-
Is Phosphoric Acid safe in this oral care?
Medium
Phosphoric Acid is used here as acidulant. Phosphoric acid is used to adjust pH but can contribute to enamel erosion if used excessively.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Phosphoric Acid
-
Is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose safe in this oral care?
Medium
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose is used here as thickener. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
-
Is Sucralose safe in this oral care?
Bad
Sucralose is used here as sweetener. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sucralose
-
Is Benzyl Alcohol safe in this oral care?
Medium
Benzyl Alcohol is used here as preservative. Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative but can cause irritation in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Benzyl Alcohol
-
Is Linalool safe in this oral care?
Medium
Linalool is used here as fragrance. Linalool is a naturally occurring compound used for fragrance but can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: Linalool
-
Is Ci 73360 safe in this oral care?
Bad
Ci 73360 is used here as colorant. CI 73360 is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 73360
-
Is Ci 74160 safe in this oral care?
Bad
Ci 74160 is used here as colorant. CI 74160 is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 74160
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4270642
More from this brand: Colgate products in Zerotox
Similar products: oral_care in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.