Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride - 8oz : Target
Lower concern. No known PFAS in typical toothpaste formulations.
Standard fluoride toothpaste with no identified PFAS risk. Colgate does not disclose PFAS concerns for this product, consistent with industry practice for oral care items.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
toothpaste base, fluoride compound
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Colgate Cavity Protection : Target is made of, ingredients and materials
Colgate Cavity Protection is a standard fluoride toothpaste, typically formulated with sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate as the active ingredient, combined with abrasive silica, thickeners, humectants (sorbitol or glycerin), and surfactants for cleaning and foam. The fluoride compound strengthens enamel and is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug active ingredient. The paste itself poses no leaching or degradation concerns typical of coatings or plastics, since it is consumed orally in small amounts.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fluoride (active ingredient toxicity at high doses)
Fluoride in toothpaste (typically 0.24% to 1.5%) is established low concern for topical oral use at labeled concentrations. Toxicity occurs only with gross ingestion of large quantities; normal toothpaste use poses no known risk.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic contaminant)
1,4-dioxane is a possible trace contaminant in some cosmetics due to surfactant manufacturing but is not reported in Colgate toothpaste products and is not a known issue in this category at consumer-relevant levels.
Heavy metals
Colgate Cavity Protection uses approved colorants typical of mainstream toothpastes; no known recalls or test data indicate contamination with lead or other heavy metals in colorant ingredients.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Colgate toothpastes are formulated with standard preservative systems that do not rely on formaldehyde donors; no known formaldehyde release has been reported in this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic beads
Colgate Cavity Protection is a paste formulation with no exfoliating beads; microplastics are not a concern for this product type.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive has a long established presence in oral care and publishes safety data sheets for its toothpaste products. The brand does not make explicit PFAS claims but typical toothpaste formulations do not contain PFAS. No significant safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to Colgate Cavity Protection toothpaste for hazardous ingredient content are on record in major databases. The product is formulated to meet FDA standards for over-the-counter fluoride dentifrice drugs.
How it compares in its category
Colgate Cavity Protection is a mainstream fluoride toothpaste comparable to Crest, Sensodyne, and store-brand fluoride formulas in hazard profile. All standard fluoride toothpastes share similar ingredient classes and regulatory oversight. This product does not claim organic, natural, or fluoride-free positioning, so it carries no special marketing claims that would distinguish its safety from other conventional cavity-protection pastes. It is a baseline option in the category.
If you buy it
Use toothpaste as directed, brushing twice daily with a pea-sized amount (especially for children under 6, who should use even less to minimize ingestion). Do not swallow; toothpaste is not designed for ingestion and excess fluoride intake can cause dental fluorosis in young children or other effects. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Replace the tube when empty; toothpaste does not require special disposal.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Colgate has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride - 8oz : Target?
Tom's of Maine
Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste, Peppermint, 2 Pack, 4.5 Oz
- toothpaste base, mineral silica, essential oils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- water, saponified oils, essential oils, minerals
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance/essential oil sensitization (peppermint)
- fluoride, glycerin, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fluoride ingestion toxicity
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More toothpaste grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.