• A study by Lead Safe Mama found over 90 percent of 51 tested toothpaste brands contained lead, with many also contaminated by arsenic, mercury and cadmium. Well-known brands like Crest, Sensodyne and Tom’s of Maine were among those affected.
• Toothpastes with bentonite clay, hydroxyapatite or calcium carbonate showed the highest heavy metal levels. Children’s products, like Tom’s of Maine Kid’s Toothpaste, had lead levels 48 times above proposed safety limits.
• The FDA permits up to 10,000–20,000 ppb of lead in toothpaste—far higher than public health advocates recommend. Washington state’s stricter limit (1,000 ppb) was exceeded by several brands.
• Heavy metals like lead (neurotoxin), mercury (nervous system damage) and arsenic (carcinogen) pose severe risks, especially to children, who are more vulnerable to ingestion and long-term harm.
• Many companies dismissed findings or sent legal threats, while safe alternatives (e.g., Dr. Brown’s Baby Toothpaste) exist. Advocates urge stricter regulations and transparency to protect consumers.

A recent investigation has uncovered widespread contamination of popular toothpaste brands with dangerous heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium.

The study conducted by the advocacy group Lead Safe Mama (LSM) found that over 90 percent of the 51 toothpaste brands tested contained lead, with many also harboring other toxic substances. This discovery raises serious concerns about the safety of everyday dental care products, particularly for children, and highlights a significant regulatory gap in consumer protection.

LSM founder Tamara Rubin spearheaded the probe 12 years ago after noticing a pattern of elevated blood lead levels in children she was working with. The common factor? A brand of toothpaste called Earthpaste.

Armed with an XRF lead detection tool, Rubin expanded her testing to include a variety of popular toothpaste brands – and what she discovered was alarming. Ninety percent of the toothpastes contained lead, 65 percent had arsenic, nearly half contained mercury and one-third were contaminated with cadmium. (Related: Are you poisoning yourself with commercial toothpaste?)

Among the brands found to contain these toxins were well-known names like Crest, Sensodyne, Tom’s of Maine, Dr. Bronner’s, Davids and Dr. Jen. The highest levels of contamination were found in toothpastes containing bentonite clay, a common ingredient used for its purported cleaning properties. Hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate, other common additives, also showed concerning levels of heavy metals.

The findings are particularly troubling given the lack of stringent regulations governing heavy metal content in toothpaste. While the FDA allows up to 10,000 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in fluoride-free toothpaste and 20,000 ppb in fluoride varieties, these limits are significantly higher than those set by public health advocates. The state of Washington, for instance, has enacted a law limiting lead in toothpaste to 1,000 ppb, a threshold that several of the tested brands exceeded.

Despite the findings, most companies have not committed to removing lead and other heavy metals from their products. Some have defended their products by arguing that trace amounts of lead are unavoidable due to environmental exposure, while others have dismissed the detected levels as insignificant. Rubin said several companies even sent her cease-and-desist letters, which she ignored and posted on her blog.

Heavy metals can cause a range of health problems

Lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic are all known carcinogens and can cause a range of health problems. Lead, in particular, is a potent neurotoxin that can cause cognitive damage in children, harm the kidneys and lead to heart disease. Mercury can damage the nervous system and kidneys, while cadmium is linked to kidney damage and cancer. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that can cause skin, lung and bladder cancer.

The contamination of children’s toothpaste is particularly concerning. Children’s bodies are more vulnerable to the effects of heavy metals, and they are more likely to inadvertently swallow toothpaste while brushing. Tom’s of Maine Kid’s Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, for example, was found to contain 240 ppb of lead – 48 times higher than the proposed safe action level for children’s products.

Several children’s toothpastes, such as Dr. Brown’s Baby Toothpaste, did not test positive for any metals, indicating that safe alternatives are available. However, the lack of stringent regulations means that many children’s toothpastes on the market may still pose a risk.

The findings of the LSM investigation highlight a critical need for stricter regulations and greater transparency in the toothpaste industry. While daily brushing of teeth is essential for maintaining oral health, the presence of heavy metals in toothpaste poses a hidden threat that could have serious health consequences. Consumers deserve to know that the products they use daily are safe, and it is the responsibility of both manufacturers and regulators to ensure that this is the case.

Watch this video that teaches how to make your own natural toothpaste, without the dangerous heavy metals.

This video is from the Health with benefits channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Here’s why natural toothpaste is better than commercial toothpaste for supporting optimal oral health.

Natural toothpaste reduces risk of cavities: Herbal toothpaste found to raise mouth pH, reduce sugar in saliva.

Triclosan, chemical in toothpaste linked to cancer, bone malformation and hormone disruption, has been in toothpaste for 17 years.

Sources include: 

TheGuardian.com

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com

Brighteon.com