I learned about this many years ago and the difference after I started using only SLS-free toothpaste was night and day. I used to get canker sores (mouth ulcers) any time I would bite the inside of my cheek, hit my gums with the hard parts of my toothbrush, etc., and this completely stopped a while after I switched to SLS-free.
SLS is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, by the way, and it’s a detergent. From what I understand, the only reason why it’s added to toothpaste is to make more foam when you brush. But the SLS-free toothpaste I use makes plenty of foam, so I have no idea why they add it. It’s one of those things about the modern world that makes absolutely no sense. The ads and packaging should say in big letters: “now with even more canker sores!”
Unfortunately, the vast majority of toothpastes on the market (at least in the US) have SLS. I can only seem to find SLS-free toothpaste in natural food/supplement stores. It’s extra difficult to find toothpastes that are SLS-free but that keep fluoride too. The difficulty (and price? I haven’t compared) is completely worth it to me though.
TL;DR: The SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) in most toothpastes is unnecessary and (edit: CAN cause) canker sores (painful sores in your mouth and gums). If you have this problem, you will likely benefit from SLS-free toothpaste (some still include fluoride) that you can usually find at natural food stores.
Most stores (in US) have Sensodyne. I switched to them when I learned that my old toothpastes were causing cankers. I’ll never go back
We have two brands that have that, Sensodyne and Enzym. Both are nearly twice the price as other brands.
And well worth the extra cost if you can afford it.
This is great to know! I thought that Sensodyne only addressed tooth pain.
Bert’s Bee’s makes an SLS free charcoal toothpaste that I’ve been using over a year. Great stuff, mint flavored, and you can see how much toothpaste you aren’t using (since it’s black) and adjust your usage accordingly.
Even using a pea sized drop seems like too much sometimes.
That sounds good. I’ll look for that. Does it have fluoride though? I want fluoride in my toothpaste. Also curious about Bert’s Bees. Does the toothpaste have any bee products in it? Thanks.
Sensodyne has SLS too. Its largely a scam toothpaste to be honest. It just has a numbing agent in it and costs twice as much. Maybe youve just gotten lucky but that shit was useless for me and still gave me sores.
Sensodyne is a brand, not a specific toothpaste, and some of their products do have SLS, but sensodyne pronamel, at least here in Canada, does not have SLS.