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Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common ingredient in many personal care products, including toothpastes and shampoos. This synthetic chemical is also added to household products, such as laundry and dish detergents.
SLS creates the lathering effect many people associate with cleanliness. While SLS can help break down dirt and oil, it isn’t necessarily effective for cleaning.
Some studies have shown low doses of SLS to be safe for humans and the environment.1 However, recent research has raised concerns about how SLS can irritate sensitive teeth and skin.2
Keep reading to learn more about the risks and benefits of SLS, our top picks for SLS-free toothpastes, and other harmful ingredients to watch out for in oral care products.
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This may be the best toothpaste for you if you suffer from canker sores or gum irritation. It’s formulated with sodium methyl cocoyl taurate to mimic the foaming properties of sodium lauryl sulfate.
Verve also contains fluoride to protect your tooth enamel. It is enriched with the antioxidant vitamin E.
Key features include:
Sensodyne is a well-known toothpaste brand popular among people with sensitive teeth. This SLS-free toothpaste is optimized for enamel remineralization to help naturally rebuild strong, healthy teeth.
Key features include:
This SLS-free toothpaste features nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA), a common natural toothpaste ingredient in Japan. N-HA is a non-toxic ingredient that reduces tooth sensitivity. It also remineralizes enamel instead of fluoride.
N-HA is also 100% biocompatible. This means it won’t irritate people with sensitive skin and teeth.
Key features include:
Hello’s SLS-free toothpaste line includes fun flavors and colorful packaging that appeals to kids, but adults can use it, too. They use sodium cocoyl glutamate to create a foaming effect without adding SLS.
Hello’s kid-friendly toothpaste is available with or without fluoride. This particular toothpaste has fluoride.
Fluoride helps build strong, healthy teeth. But too much of it can lead to fluorosis in children under 8. Talk to your dentist about how much fluoride your child needs.
Key features include:
Burt’s Bees is a leader in natural, environmentally friendly personal care products. Their SLS-free, fluoride-free toothpaste is flavored with essential oils and crafted to whiten your smile.
Key features include:
Hello doesn’t only make toothpaste for kids — this formula is specifically for adults and children over 12. Like the kids version, this paste creates foam with sodium cocoyl glutamate instead of SLS.
This fluoride-free toothpaste contains natural ingredients like activated charcoal, tea tree oil, and coconut oil for clean teeth and fresh breath.
Key features include:
Sodium lauryl sulfate creates the foaming bubbles that appear when you brush your teeth. The foaming properties assist in breaking down food debris and plaque on your teeth.
Most people feel like their teeth get cleaner when they use toothpaste that foams and bubbles. This isn’t the case. Your teeth can get just as clean without the foam, but this may take some getting used to.
A randomized clinical trial proved that brushing with SLS-free toothpaste is just as effective at removing plaque and promoting gum health as using toothpaste with SLS.3
If you’re a fan of the foam in regular toothpaste, SLS isn’t your only option. Other ingredients that can provide a similar effect include:
Many of the SLS-free toothpastes we recommend below contain these ingredients.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common irritant, especially in people with sensitive teeth or skin.
SLS toothpaste may contribute to the following oral health concerns:
If your teeth, gums, or tongue feel irritated after brushing, SLS in your toothpaste may be the culprit. Discuss your symptoms with your dentist, as there may be something else going on.
Because sodium lauryl sulfate is known to irritate sensitive teeth and skin, many toothpaste brands make SLS-free alternatives.
Here are our top picks for the best SLS-free toothpaste. This list includes big names you likely already know and smaller, holistic brands.
Everything We Recommend
SLS isn’t the only irritating ingredient found in toothpaste. Other common ingredients people may be sensitive to include:
Like SLS, this is a common ingredient in household products like detergents. You’ll also find this ingredient in adhesives and lubricants. In fact, SLS is a type of sulfuric acid monododecyl ester.
This is another irritating sodium sulfate, similar to SLS. It’s known for irritating sensitive areas of the skin and eyes. SDS is sometimes added to toothpaste for its antimicrobial properties.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a chemical that causes toothpaste to foam when you brush your teeth. Small amounts of SLS are scientifically proven safe for human use, but some people are sensitive to it.
SLS-free toothpaste may be a better option for people prone to canker sores or irritated gums. Many SLS-free toothpastes are available from large and small brands.
You can use SLS-free toothpaste the same way you would use regular toothpaste. Apply a small amount to your toothbrush and brush twice daily for at least 2 minutes each time.
Use short strokes along the gum line to ensure you’re removing as much plaque as possible. Focus on one or two teeth at a time.
Yes. As long as you’re using the proper brushing technique (described above), SLS-free toothpaste will clean your teeth as effectively as those that contain SLS.
Although SLS creates a foam that helps break down oil and food particles, it doesn’t actively clean your teeth.
Moderate amounts of fluoride are good for your teeth. It helps remineralize enamel to prevent cavities from forming. Too much can cause kids’ teeth to develop white stains (fluorosis).
You may have noticed that some toothpastes on this list contain fluoride, while others don’t. Some people are allergic to fluoride or don’t want this ingredient in their toothpaste for other reasons.
Ask your dentist which option is best for you and your kids.
You may need to use it twice daily, every day, for at least 2 weeks before you notice a difference. However, some people experience less sensitivity right away.
Check your toothpaste ingredients for sodium laureth sulfate. It’s a chemical similar to SLS but milder. People with sensitive skin and gums might be unable to tolerate sodium laureth sulfate.
Talk to your dentist if you experience pain or sensitivity after brushing. It may be a sign of an underlying health issue.
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