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Consumer Affairs


Colgate Toothpaste


Consumer Complaints & Reviews

After only using this product for 2 days I have severe gum bleeding, and severe pain all over my mouth. Wanted to try this "New" product for whiter teeth, instead have a very painful mouth. Whatever is in this product causes gum peeling, dry mouth, sores , bleeding, swollen gums and pain!

Do not use this product! It's like using acid on your teeth!

I bought Colgate toothpaste from Costco as I always do (5 pack). And twice now my mouth has been irritated by this product, leaving my whole mouth itchy from the inside out. My lips are now black and my natural shade is pink, plus the roof of my mouth burns. I have always used this product, which I brush twice a day and always have. Within a month and a half this reaction has truly bothered me deeply because it's very embarrassing for me as a business woman who deals with the public. I was asked today, "What's wrong with your mouth? It's black." I need someone to call me to explain what's going on with your product!

Twice I purchased Colgate toothpaste with the flip top cap. I bought the second one by mistake. The cap does not close without oozing out toothpaste, and when the tube gets lower, it is a huge mess. It has gotten all over the counter top, floor, items in the same drawer because it does not squeeze well and spurts out. It is maddening and a waste of money.

If I buy Colgate again, and at this point I am not inclined to, I will open the box if I have to, in order to ensure it is not this type. Actually, I think this is a bad design. I can't be the only person to experience even if they don't take the time to contact you. A company with a high reputation is expected to do the right thing to make me, a consumer, happy.

Colgate has been offering some really cheap prices for their toothpaste and recently I opened a tube of their bargain and was disappointed to say the least. The product is awful and after reading the box, found out it is manufactured in Mexico. This pretty much explains the problem and the lack of a quality product. I called the Colgate 800 number and spoke to their rep and got the usual corporate brush off. I will never again use their products.

I always buy Colgate sensitive toothpaste, and have been satisfied with that. I am currently trying the Colgate Sensitive Pro- Relief toothpaste. It just does not leave my mouth as clean and minty fresh, as the other Colgate sensitive type does. It seems to be lacking for me, and do not plan to buy it again.

I have been using Colgate toothpaste for several months and became frustrated that my lips and inside of my cheeks and gums were "peeling" and very dry. After some research, I discovered that this was a common issue and have stopped using this product with some relief noted.

I started using Colgate Optic White Toothpaste about a week ago. I thought it looked cool on the shelf because it helped whiten teeth! The second day I started using it, I realized I had began developing cold sores in my mouth and my lips began to majorly dry out. I applied chapstick basically every 10 minutes and drank a ton of water, but they would not get better and basically just stung really bad! After I stopped using the toothpaste about 2 days ago, they've felt much better. I am never using Colgate again!

I used Colgate Optic Care toothpaste on and off, until I went on vacation 5 days ago. I got a huge fever blister on my lip, and now my mouth is swelling with little sores all over. Since my oral hygiene is impeccable, I contacted a doctor on my Hawaiian vacation. I had to go on antibiotics (not in 10 years), purchase a very expensive 2 grams of Zovirax, and be sick the entire week and a half, with mouth issues. I couldn't kiss my husband on our 25th anniversary trip. I will never use another Colgate toothpaste product again. What the bleep is in that product anyway? As far as I'm concerned, it's a poisonous substance after what I've been through. I was sick while I was in Hawaii!

I rate this toothpaste a -10. My mom and I started using the Colgate Optic White toothpaste a couple weeks ago. I noticed that my cheek was starting to peel off its top layer but I didn't know why. Then my mom started to complain that she had canker sores all over her mouth and under her tongue. She had to take time off work because it hurt so bad. Then within a few days later, I noticed a hole on the inside of my mouth, I have been experiencing so much pain from it. I will be going to the doctor soon if it doesn't go away.

I purchased a tub of Colgate toothpaste from Asda Fareham Portsmouth. I find out when I took the tub out of the box there is tear down the side so the toothpaste is oozing out of the tub. I can't use this toothpaste for I don't know how long it has been open and it will go all over the place if I do. I'm not happy about purchasing this product like this. Asda wouldn't have noticed it due to it being sealed in the box, so in that case it is due to your company for not checking it. It is a 100 ml tub. I will take a picture of it if you would like me to.

Colgate Total. I detest the fat, squishy tube and the near-liquid toothpaste. The tube seems about half full and take twice as long as it should to squeeze out the "paste", which then slops over the top of the tube and over the toothbrush. I'm trashing it tomorrow and looking for a slim tube of actual toothpaste that isn't messy. I won't be buying Colgate toothpaste again.

I used the new Colgate Optic White and experience tremendous pain in my mouth until I stop using it. Colgate should have tested this product with real people before releasing it. More people are going to complain watch and see. Competition with other toothpaste is not worth the pain that it causes consumers.

Your products need more studying and major overhauls. I found "Colgate Optic whitening" a few months ago on sale for approximatelt $2.25 at Wal-Mart. I was sick of my previous toothpaste, giving me bad breath and making me salivate more than normal, so I tried it. The product was amazing. I had that celebrity white smile I always wanted. I couldn't afford the price, it bumped up to now $3.75 for a small tube, so I went back to my previous product. I still hated it.

Colgate was on sale for $2.50 this past week, so instead of paying $2.99, I got desperate a week and half ago and decided to go with Colgate. I wish I didn't.

I used Colgate Optic for a week! I began to get a really bad headache. After about 2 weeks of using it, my head was pounding! I had the worst headache ever! I stopped using it and the headache went away in about 2 days.

I bought a tube of the new Colgate Optic White toothpaste thinking that it would whiten my teeth. After using it, my mouth burn, my throat became very sore, and a white film covered my tongue. I thought I had strep until my doctor told me that this was a reaction to the "new" toothpaste that I am using. I have decided to toss the Optic White and warn everyone I know that the chemicals in this toothpaste can be very harmful. Colgate, you really need to reformulate this one.

I would not even give it a star; -5. I tried the New Colgate Optic White Tooth Paste. I used it one time and it was like brushing my teeth and mouth with acid and I have a hole on the bottom of my tongue and inside of my mouth. My whole mouth feels like it has been burned. I will never use this again and will be calling Colgate tomorrow. My mouth has been this way now for 3 weeks and I'm going to the doctor on Tue. The only thing I have done different in the last 3 weeks was try the new tooth paste.

Colgate Whitening Oxygen Bubbles Brisk Mint flavor was on sale in a three-pack at Walmart. They covered the original box UPC code and wrapped 3 packs together and used this code. UPC code is 1123US342R. This product does not deserve the one-star I was forced to rate it.

I just started another tube of Optic White. When I put the toothpaste on my tooth brush, a small amount of paste came out and then a lot of air. By the time I got the amount on my brush, the tube was half empty. The previous tube did not act this way.

About one week ago, I put Colgate Tartar Control Gel (blue) on my toothbrush and was brushing my teeth when I felt something hard, like a loose tooth. I pulled it out of my mouth and saw that it was glass, the size of a tooth. I could not figure out how it got there. I thought it came from the toothpaste, but I was uncertain. Today, September 27, 2011, the same thing; glass, but I looked at it before I brushed. I came on the web to see it this was happening to anyone else.

I opened a new tube of Ultra Brite toothpaste and as soon as the toothpaste touched my mouth, everywhere it touched began to burn.

You posted my complaint about Colgate Total Whitening toothpaste on 6/17, but there is a minor typo in the dimensions of the little fragments. It should be 1/16" x 1/4" -- one-sixteenth inch by one-quarter inch. Thanks.

Noticed 6/16/11 that my Colgate Total Tartar Control toothpaste has little pieces of clear glass or plastic in it. Approximate dimensions 1/6 in. by 1/4 in., some smaller.

I simply squeezed a small amount of toothpaste to use from its container. I noticed a split in the container as some toothpaste was coming out. I squeezed the container a bit more and noticed a piece of plastic/glass, nearly 1/2" long. I called Colgate and they asked me to dissolve it in water to try to find out what it is. I refused to do so, even if I was curious as to exactly what the material was. Just because it dissolves doesn't make it safe. That was 10 minutes ago, & I am now trying to see what to do next in this strange mess. I've had this bottle for quite awhile, as it was purchased in Pathmark - Camden, New Jersey when I decided to go grocery shopping after work before crossing back over to Philadelphia. I am seeking assistance as I fear someone may be hurt as a result.Thank You.

I used Colgate Total toothpaste for a number of years, thinking I was giving my teeth the best possible treatment to prevent gum disease and bad breath. However, I was losing skin on my gums and my dentist sent me to a periodontist. As a result of using Colgate toothpaste, my mouth was so dry, the skin was peeling off my gum. Now I am faced with an enormous dental bill as I now need surgery to rebuild the gum or I will lose my teeth. If I lose my teeth, I will then be toothless as I do not have enough gum to hold the false teeth in.

My first surgery is scheduled for April 19th. Since I do not have medical insurance nor dental insurance, all of this will come out of my pocket. All because I believed I was giving my mouth the royal treatment by using Colgate Total toothpaste. I am now using an organic toothpaste and my mouth is much better but the skin is gone.

I brushed my teeth last night using ColgateTartar control toothpaste and thought I broke a tooth when I felt something in my mouth. I pulled it out and it looked like glass. I thought maybe I picked it up on my toothbrush. Tonight 11-23-09 I brushed with the Colgate again and as I put the paste on my brusg I noticed something shining. It was glass.I then took more past out on my finger and got more glass

I bought a tube of Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste (with Baking Soda and Peroxide) while traveling. A day or 2 after using it my lips and gums were on fire. I thought I had some type of virus and this caused me to leave my client site 3 days early and see my doctor ASAP. My doctor thought it was a virus as well. While at home I was using my regular toothpaste (Mentadent) and the issue went away. I ran out of my regular toothpaste and used the Colgate toothpaste again and the same symptoms re-appeared. I stopped using this toothpaste immediately as my symptoms were actually worse the second time. I am now using Sensodine to counteract the effects from the Colgate toothpaste. My gums are still very sore after a couple of weeks, but are healing. My lips have healed.

BRUSHING TEETH WITH A TUB OF COLGATE TOOTH PAST AND TO FIND GLASS PIECES MIXED IN WITH THE PAST.. GLASS CUT ISIDE OF MOUTH TONGUE AND GUMS CAUSING BLEEDIND AND SORE MOUTH FOR DAYS..

Brushing teeth with Colgate toothpaste net wt 6.4 oz tub. Cut inside of mounth when brushing teet with this tooth past only to find glass pieces about 1/4 to 5/8 long in tube. First time I thought it was the tootbrush but not so.

Bought a tube of colgate toothpaste and it was full of glass shards. Cut my gums up real good. Called Colgate and they wanted me to send the tube back to them. "Yea right". Is anybody doing anything about this.

Lips raw, burning, severe swelling, severe pain. severe burning of lips & mouth


I can no longer use colgate toothpaste. Every time I use it it takes the skin off my gums. My mother is also having the same problem. We both have to use biotene toothpaste now. It doesn't have sodium laurel sulfate in it. My periodontist and dentist said they are seeing more of this happening to people and it is caused by all the chemicals they are putting in the toothpaste

Skin comes off in mouth

As another person on this site wrote, I too have found glass (or plastic) shards in my toothpaste. Three so far, in this tube, all the same size... look like oversize teeth from a comb. About 5/8 long. I have not contacted Colgate yet, as I went online to see if this was a problem others were having.

I was reading the post regarding the Colgate Toothpaste from the link in the Rogues Gallery from the 02/01/09 Newsletter. Several of the complaints mentioned the issue of Colgate-Palmolive issuing free product coupons and an envelope to return the product to them, and the coupons as 'buy-offs'. In reality, while anything foreign in a product, drug or any other healthcare item is a serious issue, the coupons and request for the item are not buy-offs. Under Federal law and GMP practices, any product complaint must be fully investigated.

So when Colgate gets a call about glass shards in toothpaste, they need the tube back to see if it's really glass and if so, where that glass came from and if other tubes could also be contaminated with that foreign matter. The coupons are to replace the product being returned and to purchase additional free products for the inconvenience. Food companies and other industries also do this besides healthcare and pharma companies.

I was quite surprised that Colgate mentioned the rubber ring was a filling pump gasket, usually they won't say 'this is a common occurrence' or such and I am surprised Colgate has not remedied the issue yet if it is so common. Also, all complaints must be logged an the result of the investigation logged as well and they are reviewed by the FDA. Consumers can also contact the FDA directly regarding in some issues. ( I work in the pharmaceutical industry and have been trained in GMP and GLP compliance, also referred to as 21CFR parts 210, 211, and have never worked for, or any relative working for Colgate=Palmolive or any subsidiary of CP.)

I purchased a tube of Colgate-brand Ultrabrite All in One toothpaste mid-2008 from a local grocery store (don't recall which). Upon using it a couple months later, I found small glass shards in the toothpaste. I contacted Colgate and they merely sent me a handful of coupons for more Colgate products (!) and a postage-paid envelope to send back the offending tube. I cannot find any info online from others on glass shards in their Colgate brand toothpastes but I feel this is a very serious matter, and so far I have not sent back the tube.

I spit out the toothpaste when I noticed the foreign matter, and fortunately my son had not yet used any. Others might not be so lucky.

I bought a pack of colgate 360^ toothbrush. I started using the first toothbrush, but the bristles fall off in my mouth.


I purchased a bottle of colgate simply white clear whitening gel from a local CVS store in June 2004 and in July 2004 I used this product on my teeth. After three applications as directed, I noticed the outside of my mouth around the lip area turning white. I immediately stopped using this product.

After a couple of weeks had passed white patches started appearing in my face and spreaded to the side of my face as well. I went to a local dermatologist and he prescribed some cream and I used it for about a month but the patches didn't get better. I finally decided to go to a skin specialist out of town. This doctor prescribed a different cream and performed some test.

This cream is working a little better than the first but my pigment hasn't fully come back.


The use of this product has caused me facial damage and I have purchased numerous kinds of make-up to cover up the discoloration. I have always had a nice skin complexion and never wore make-up before this incident. I'm having to purchase make-up every month to cover up this problem.


A couple of weeks ago I purchased Toothpaste (Colgate Total) only to find that on the second day of use, I squeezed out a black piece of rubber mixed in the paste.

I contacted the 1800 number and they acknowledged that this has happened before and they asked me to send them the product and piece of rubber. They sent me two free products coupons. Is this a buy off?
The customer service agent told me that this is not the first time a piece of rubber has been found in the toothpaste and it's just a rubber gasket that has broken down and mixed in the paste before packaging into the tube.

My concern is that this piece was small enough to choke on if a child had stuck it in there mouth.


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