Thanks for contacting us. We’ve received your submission. An Alpharetta dentist, Val Kolpakov, holds the world record for the largest collection of toothpaste tubes. According to a recent press release from Guinness World Records, Kolpakov’s collection includes thousands of toothpaste tubes from all over the world. He was first recognized as the record holder on June 15, 2012, and still holds the title to this day.

Kolpakov initially started his collection in 2001 as a way to learn more about the various toothpastes on the market. However, he soon realized that collecting toothpaste tubes could be an interesting hobby. He began collecting old tubes from different countries, including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Russia, and Germany.

Guinness World Records reported that Kolpakov’s collection now consists of 2,037 toothpaste tubes. He estimates the value of his collection to be over $30,000, with the majority of it stored at his home. Among the thousands of tubes he owns, there are some with unusual flavors like whisky, chocolate, rose, wasabi, bamboo, and even bacon.

Some of Kolpakov’s toothpaste tubes are packaged in unique shapes or feature branded artwork. For instance, he has a rocket-shaped tube, a pack of crayon-shaped tubes licensed by Crayola, and even a fictional tube called Brenner’s that appeared in the TV series “Prison Break.” He also possesses a StarKist toothpaste tube that bears the tuna company’s logo, although it doesn’t taste like fish.

In addition to these unique tubes, there are also a few that have historic significance. Some tubes were dug out of World War II trenches, while others were used by astronauts during space missions. Kolpakov mentioned in a YouTube interview uploaded by Guinness World Records that he hasn’t actively sought to expand his collection. However, other collectors have sent him specimens as gifts. Occasionally, he purchases toothpastes from online platforms like eBay or Amazon when he comes across rare varieties.

Kolpakov’s passion for oral hygiene extends beyond toothpaste tubes. He also has a collection of flosses and estimates that his entire tooth-cleaning collection amounts to about 3,000 items.

To see some of Kolpakov’s toothpaste tube collection, you can visit his dental surgery in Alpharetta, Georgia, where a portion of it is on display. As the current world record holder, his collection continues to grow and captivate the fascination of both dental professionals and collectors alike.