Updated on July 26, 2024
6 min read

Best SLS-Free Toothpastes

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Many toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS to create a foam when you brush your teeth. While it spreads the toothpaste and cleans your teeth, it isn’t ideal if you’re prone to mouth ulcers or have sensitive teeth.

 SLS is a potentially harmful ingredient that can:

  • Dry and irritate your mouth
  • Increase your tooth sensitivity
  • Trigger or worsen your canker sores
  • Reduce the remineralizing benefits of fluoride

At NewMouth, we want you to get the most out of your daily brushing while keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. So we rounded up the best SLS-free toothpastes that don’t have sodium lauryl sulfate.

Everything We Recommend

  1. Best Fluoride: Verve Ultra SLS-Free Toothpaste
  2. Best Fluoride-Free: Boka Toothpaste
  3. Best for Kids: Hello Kids Fluoride Toothpaste 
  4. Best for Sensitivity: Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair
  5. Best Whitening: Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste
  6. Best Stain-Removing: Hello Epic Whitening Toothpaste

Our in-house dental experts evaluated SLS-free toothpastes based on three important factors so we can tailor our recommendations to your needs:

  • Ingredients ⁠— Making sure they work and are safe for you
  • Results — What they can do for your smile
  • User reviews — We looked for consistent positive feedback

6 Best SLS-Free Toothpastes of 2024

Here are the best toothpastes that don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate:

Verve Ultra SLS-Free Fluoride Toothpaste

Best Fluoride
Verve Ultra SLS Free Toothpaste with Fluoride

Verve Ultra has a unique, non-irritating formula that strengthens teeth and keeps your smile bright and healthy while giving you the same foamy experience as regular toothpaste. 

It combines fluoride with stain-removing hydrated silica and vitamin E for good oral health. The toothpaste also uses a natural surfactant (sodium methyl cocoyl taurate) derived from coconut to create a foam.

Key Features

  • Contains fluoride
  • Made in the U.S.
  • Vegan and gluten-free
  • Not tested on animals
  • Flavor: Soothing Fresh Mint

Things We Like

  • Prevents canker sores and promotes healing
  • Provides gentle yet effective cleaning
  • Has a pleasant and enjoyable taste

Things We Don’t Like

  • Produces minimal foam
  • Cleaning isn’t enough for some

Boka Natural Toothpaste

Best Fluoride-Free
Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste

Boka offers a non-fluoride alternative for those who prefer clean ingredients. It contains nanohydroxyapatite (nHa) and baking soda to harden and whiten teeth without sensitivity. 

Xylitol and other natural ingredients add flavor without attracting cavity-causing bacteria. Since it doesn’t have harsh chemicals, Boka Toothpaste won’t irritate your gums or the insides of your mouth.

Key Features

  • Fluoride-free
  • Contains nano-hydroxyapatite
  • Vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free
  • No harsh and artificial ingredients
  • Flavors: Ela Mint, Coco Ginger, Lemon Lavender, and Cinna Mint

Things We Like

  • Relieves tooth sensitivity
  • Effectively whitens teeth
  • Leaves a clean and fresh feeling

Things We Don’t Like

  • Not everyone likes its flavors
  • The screw-style lid isn’t convenient
  • Can be difficult to find in stores

Hello Kids Toothpaste

Best for Kids
hello Dragon Dazzle Blue Raspberry Kids Toothpaste

Hello Toothpaste comes in various fun flavors and colorful packaging that would make any kid want to brush. Parents love it too—since it only uses safe and natural ingredients like xylitol and stevia for flavor or sodium cocoyl glutamate to create a foam.

You can choose from fluoride-containing or fluoride-free toothpastes, whichever is recommended by your child’s dentist. Hello’s fluoride toothpastes are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Key Features

  • May or may not contain fluoride
  • Made in the U.S.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free
  • No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
  • No parabens, sulfates, triclosan, or microbeads
  • Flavors: Bubblegum, Raspberry, Wild Strawberry, Fresh Watermelon

Things We Like

  • Many parents recommend it for children
  • Gentle on kids’ teeth and gums
  • Most kids love its flavors

Things We Don’t Like

  • Doesn’t foam as much as regular toothpaste
  • Difficult to find in local stores

Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair

Best for Sensitive Teeth
Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair goes beyond cleaning by actively remineralizing teeth and relieving tooth sensitivity with every brush. Its specialized formula is designed to strengthen weakened enamel, repair early damage, and prevent cavities. With continued use, this SLS-free toothpaste can make teeth less reactive to heat and cold.

Key Features

  • Contains fluoride
  • Flavors: Extra Fresh and Mint

Things We Like

  • Makes your teeth feel stronger and less sensitive
  • Users report being able to enjoy cold foods and drinks
  • Leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh for hours

Things We Don’t Like

  • Some people find its mint flavor overpowering

Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste

Best Teeth Whitening
Burts Bees Toothpaste

Burt’s Bees Purely White uses a natural, fluoride-free formula to clean and lighten teeth. It doesn’t contain triclosan, parabens, or artificial ingredients, making it a safer choice than most brands.

We especially love the addition of essential oils in the blend. It leaves your breath smelling fresh and can make you feel confident about your smile.

Key Features

  • Doesn’t contain fluoride
  • Made in the U.S.
  • No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
  • No parabens, sulfates, triclosan, or microbeads
  • Flavor: Zen Peppermint

Things We Like

  • Gradually whitens teeth at an affordable price
  • Won’t hurt your gums or teeth
  • Freshens your breath

Things We Don’t Like

  • May not give you dramatic teeth whitening
  • Has a gritty texture that some may not like

Hello Epic Whitening Toothpaste

Best Stain-Removing
Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening

Like the kids’ toothpaste, Hello Epic Whitening produces foam with sodium cocoyl glutamate instead of SLS. However, it can do more than clean your teeth.

Ingredients like activated charcoal and coconut oil remove plaque and teeth stains, gently whitening teeth. Natural flavors and sweeteners such as xylitol and tea tree oil give it a pleasant flavor.

Key Features

  • Fluoride-free
  • Made in the U.S.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free
  • No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
  • No parabens, preservatives, or titanium dioxide
  • Flavor: Mint

Things We Like

  • Noticeably whitens teeth after a few weeks
  • Has a nice flavor that keeps your breath fresh
  • More affordable than other whitening toothpastes

Things We Don’t Like

  • Some users find it too abrasive
  • The toothpaste leaves a black mess
  • Tastes different from regular toothpaste

Transform your smile with the best toothbrushes of 2024. Find your perfect brush here.

Tips for Choosing the Best SLS-Free Toothpastes

Toothpastes without sodium lauryl sulfate can be just as effective as regular toothpaste at cleaning your teeth. They can also offer benefits like teeth whitening if you know what ingredients to look for and avoid:

Foaming Agents

If you don’t want sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in your toothpaste, you should also stay away from other synthetic ingredients that can irritate you, like:

  • Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
  • Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
  • Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)

Instead, pick toothpastes containing natural surfactants such as sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, coco-glucoside, and decyl glucoside.

Remineralizing Minerals

You need to decide if you want fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) and many dentists recommend fluoride. 

However, fluoride-free toothpastes with hydroxyapatite are also great options. They can lift teeth stains, whiten your smile, and keep your mouth healthy.

Other Ingredients

Watch out for other ingredients and see what they can do for your smile.

For example, abrasives like baking soda, hydrated silica, and activated charcoal can help remove plaque and surface stains. When used regularly, toothpastes containing them can lighten teeth.

Natural sweeteners like xylitol prevent cavity-causing bacteria from thriving, while essential oils add flavor without the use of artificial ingredients.

Fresher breath, healthier gums, stronger teeth – find it all in 2024's best mouthwashes. Explore the top picks here.

Last updated on July 26, 2024
6 Sources Cited
Last updated on July 26, 2024
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  2. Mani, A. and Thawani, V. “Are all additives of toothpastes rational?” Journal Of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, 2019. 
  3. Sälzer, S. et al. “The effectiveness of dentifrices without and with sodium lauryl sulfate on plaque, gingivitis and gingival abrasion—a randomized clinical trial.” Clinical Oral Investigations, 2016. 
  4. Lalonde, K. “Toothpaste: Friend or Foe?” Journal for Activist Science and Technology, 2020.
  5. Pepla, E. et al. “Nano-hydroxyapatite and its applications in preventive, restorative and regenerative dentistry: a review of literature.” Annali Di Stromatologia, 2014. 
  6. Guom C. et al. “Effect of hydroxyapatite toothpaste on vital tooth color.” Journal of Dental Research, 2002.
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