Tom's of Maine Antiplaque Whitening Toothpaste
Lower PFAS concern, toothpaste formula has no routine need for PFAS; skip if you want explicit assurance.
This toothpaste contains no water-resistant coatings, nonstick surfaces, or grease-resistant packaging associated with PFAS. Tom's does not publicly claim PFAS-free status or hold third-party verification, though toothpastes rarely require PFAS in their formulation.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based gel with sorbitol, hydrated silica, fluoride compound
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Fluoride systemic toxicity (ingestion risk)
At normal adult use (spitting out most product), fluoride exposure is minimal and within established reference doses. Risk rises only with chronic intentional swallowing or use by children under 6 without supervision; standard toothpaste concentrations (1000-1500 ppm) are FDA-approved for daily adult use.
Sorbitol digestive effect (minor ingestion)
Sorbitol is a non-nutritive sweetener that can cause mild laxative effects if swallowed in large amounts; this is not a concern for normal toothpaste use where spitting is expected, but relevant if young children chronically ingest the product.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Silica abrasive enamel wear
Hydrated silica at whitening-toothpaste concentrations has no hazard of enamel damage on record at normal brushing pressure. No published data links Tom's of Maine silica levels to enamel damage beyond what occurs with any standard whitening paste.
Fragrance/flavoring sensitization
Tom's of Maine uses mint and natural flavoring compounds typical of toothpastes; no specific allergen alerts or formulation changes are on record for this product. Individuals with mint sensitivity may experience mild irritation or flavor aversion.
Microplastics
This gel-based formulation does not contain microbeads (common in older scrub toothpastes). The formulation relies on hydrated silica particles for abrasion, which are mineral-derived and do not present microplastic pollution risk.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Tom's of Maine Antiplaque Whitening Toothpaste is a water-based gel formulation built on sorbitol (sweetener and humectant), hydrated silica (mild abrasive for whitening), and a fluoride compound (sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, depending on variant) for cavity and plaque control. The abrasive silica level is typical for whitening toothpastes and shows lower concern for enamel abrasion at standard brushing intensity. No evidence suggests the fluoride compound itself poses bioaccumulation or systemic toxicity risk at normal toothpaste exposure levels (swallowing is minimized in adult use).
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and has maintained a reputation for ingredient transparency and natural positioning. The brand publishes ingredient lists and has achieved Natural Products Association and non-GMO certifications on many lines. No major safety recalls or established formulation controversies are on record for this specific product. The brand does not explicitly advertise PFAS absence, but toothpaste formulations have no functional need for PFAS additives, making absence likely though unconfirmed by public statement.
How it compares in its category
Tom's of Maine positions itself in the premium natural toothpaste segment with higher ingredient scrutiny than mass-market alternatives; most conventional whitening toothpastes use identical or more abrasive silica systems. Fluoride levels in this product align with FDA-approved concentrations (typically 1000-1500 ppm), matching standard options. The sorbitol-based formulation is gentler on enamel than some peroxide-heavy whitening products and avoids sodium lauryl sulfate, a common irritant in cheaper brands.
If you buy it
Use once or twice daily with normal brushing technique; do not intentionally ingest beyond incidental swallowing of small amounts (especially important if children under 6 use it, where swallowing risk is higher). Store tube at room temperature away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve gel consistency and prevent any potential separation. Replace tube every 3-4 months or when empty; there is no degradation window that creates safety concern if stored normally. Discontinue if you notice mouth sensitivity or gum irritation and consult a dentist.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tom's of Maine has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.