A Nigerian doctor, Donald has raised concerns over the growing presence of fake toothpaste in Nigerian markets and has advised consumers to learn how to distinguish the original product from counterfeit versions.
The doctor said he decided to investigate the issue himself after someone alerted him to the growing circulation of counterfeit Oral-B toothpaste. He visited several shops to compare the products and discovered that many retailers stocked fake toothpaste without knowing it.
Doctor Raises Alarm Over Fake Toothpaste in Nigerian Markets
“If you use Oral-B Toothpaste this is a public service announcement. The market is now over saturated with the fake toothpaste that to find the real Oral-B Toothpaste is a chore, when someone told me about this I went out to look for the original toothpaste so that I can really compare. I went to 5 to 7 shops almost all the shops have the fake toothpaste, they don’t even know that they have the fake.” 
He said he eventually found what he believed to be the original Oral-B toothpaste at a major shopping mall after struggling to find it in several smaller shops.
“To find the original Oral- toothpaste I had to go to an actual mall to find it. What is important at this point is that NAFDAC needs to look into this because this is more than a question of fake and original this is actual people’s lives.”
Doctor Calls on NAFDAC to Investigate Counterfeit Toothpaste
The doctor said the issue goes beyond consumers receiving a lower-quality product because counterfeit toothpaste could pose risks to people’s health.
He explained that genuine toothpaste commonly uses glycerine, which helps retain moisture and gives toothpaste its smooth consistency. He alleged that some counterfeit products instead contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical that counterfeit manufacturers may use as a cheaper substitute.
“Generally speaking the original toothpaste tends to use glycerine (a safe, water-soluble liquid used in most commercial toothpastes to lock in moisture, create a smooth texture, and stop the paste from drying out in the tube.) However, most of the fakes use diethylene glycol (DEG) (a toxic chemical sometimes used illegally as a cheap substitute for glycerin in counterfeit or low-quality toothpastes.) in place of glycerin”
He explained that some manufacturers may turn to cheaper ingredients because glycerine costs more.
“Glycerin is not cheap, it’s expensive, they get the cheap product which is also what is found in anti-freeze that has led to fertility issue and cancers that is what they have been selling to people.”
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How to Identify Original and Fake Oral-B Toothpaste
The doctor also highlighted several physical differences that consumers can check when buying Oral-B toothpaste.
He advised consumers to examine the quality of the printing on the packaging because counterfeit products may have poorer print quality.
“Generally speaking the original toothpaste tends to use glycerine ( a safe, water-soluble liquid used in most commercial toothpastes to lock in moisture, create a smooth texture, and stop the paste from drying out in the tube.), however most of the fakes use diethylene glycol (DEG) (a toxic chemical sometimes used illegally as a cheap substitute for glycerin in counterfeit or low-quality toothpastes.) in place of glycerin”
He said consumers should also compare the physical size of the toothpaste tubes, particularly when both products carry the same stated weight.
“Once you bring them out of the bottle the first thing that you are going to notice is that there is a difference in the length ring them together the original is longer than the fake but both of the same says 130 gram asides that, you are going to notice a printed blue print write-up at the bottom of the toothpaste which is the original paste but the fake Oral-B doesn’t have that.”
According to the doctor, the blue printed writing at the bottom of the tube stood out as one of the most consistent differences he observed between the products.
“He noted that he saw different types of fake and one thing he saw that was consistent on the fake product is that none of the fake toothpaste have a printed blue print write-up at the bottom of the toothpaste.”
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Packaging and Seal Can Reveal Counterfeit Toothpaste
The doctor also pointed to another difference that consumers can check when examining the tubes.
“Another difference is that the original Oral-B toothpaste doesn’t have a seal while the fake has a seal on it.”
He further explained that consumers could notice differences when they squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube.
“When you dispense the original toothpaste it’s a bit more translucent while the fake one comes out thick and it’s not as translucent , the original Oral-B tastes more minty while the fake one tastes more chunky.”
The doctor urged consumers to pay close attention when buying toothpaste, particularly because counterfeit products can closely resemble genuine products and may deceive buyers who do not know what to check.
He also called on the relevant regulatory authorities to investigate the circulation of counterfeit toothpaste and take steps to protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
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