I tried 5 supermarket own-brand toothpastes – 1 winner

I’ve always been loyal to my usual toothpaste, convinced it was the best for keeping my teeth fresh and clean. But lately, I’ve noticed the price is creeping up, and it’s starting to feel surprisingly expensive. That’s when I decided to take a chance and explore some of the UK’s supermarket own-brand toothpastes.

They were much more affordable, but I wanted to see if they could actually measure up to the brand I’d been using for years. I tested Colgate against Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Aldi.

Morrisons Essentials Fresh Mint Toothpaste

Morrisons’ toothpaste was also just 50p for 100ml, and it claimed to have the same properties as Tesco’s. The toothpaste was very consistent, and the mintiness was nice, but I didn’t love the taste or texture. I’d use it again, and for the price, it was great, but I think others were better in this test.

Sainsbury’s Everyday Dental Sensitive Toothpaste

Retailing for £1 (100ml tube), Sainsbury’s toothpaste was quite hard to find, as it was located on the bottom shelf, away from all the well-known brands.

For the price, the toothpaste consistency was great and helped to reduce some tooth sensitivity. However, I didn’t love the taste in my mouth after using it, and it didn’t feel as fresh and minty as I am usually used to.

Asda 6-in-1 Toothpaste

Asda’s 6-in-1 toothpaste claims to help fight cavities and tooth decay, as well as freshen breath and reduce oral bacteria. This was one of the worst toothpastes I’ve used; my mouth felt extremely dry after using it, and I felt very thirsty.

This was a shame as it had a great flavour, and for 98p (100ml tube), I thought it would be similar to the other supermarkets, but it wasn’t.

Tesco Essential Cavity Protection Toothpaste

Retailing for just 50p (100ml tube), I had seen this toothpaste receive raving reviews online, with a 4.4 rating. It claims to have a fresh mint flavour with fluoride and antibacterial properties to fight cavities, remove plaque and freshen breath. While the taste was quite mild, it was very pleasant to use, given the price, and I’ve used it on nights away ever since.

Aldi Dentitex Whitening Toothpaste

Aldi’s toothpaste was 60p for a 125ml tube in my local store, but prices may differ. It was pleasant to use, but my mouth didn’t feel clean or fresh. I also didn’t think the flavour was great, and it didn’t linger in my mouth.

Colgate Total Original Protection

While prices may differ, this tube of Colgate was around £3. While that does last a long time, I think it’s still very expensive for a toothpaste, and it’s rarely on offer. I also don’t think the price is justified, because I didn’t find it made my mouth feel fresher or cleaner than Tesco’s toothpaste. I didn’t like the texture either, and found it way too strong for my teeth.