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submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by xapr to c/youshouldknow@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] Soundhole@lemm.ee 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

This is true! In the US, I use Biotene. It's unfortunately somewhat expensive, (I think I pay around $6/tube), but I happily fork it over for no fucking canker sores.

[-] UnPassive@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

I've always thought I was mildly allergic to some brands of toothpaste, wonder if this was related.

My symptoms were sores in the corners of my mouth/gums - took a couple weeks before they'd show up and the only way to get them to go away was heavy rinsing with water after brushing (which is not recommended because of fluoride mineralization)

Switched to Tom's toothpaste (with fluoride) a few years ago and have had 0 issues since

[-] xapr 2 points 7 months ago

Glad to hear. I used to use Tom's but unfortunately I couldn't find the SLS-free flavors locally anymore. I just checked their website and it seems they got rid of most of their SLS-free flavors.

Also, unfortunately, the brand I had been using, Jason, seems to be dropping most of their toothpastes. It took me a while to find a new, clean brand to use, but I think I finally found it: Burt's Bees. It seems to be one of the cleanest toothpastes I've ever seen, according to https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ and it's available at my local Target stores!

[-] UnPassive@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

My toothpaste is getting low, I think I'll try busts next!

[-] xapr 1 points 7 months ago

Cool, I hope it will be good!

[-] deft@ttrpg.network -1 points 9 months ago

I'd be curious how others feel but personally painfully brushing the sore causes it to heal the quickest in my experience.

Not joking

[-] Catsrules@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 months ago

I have found mouthwash to be the best solution. If you feel one coming on or bite you mouth and think you might get it, mouthwash ASAP.

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[-] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de -3 points 8 months ago

you should also know that people in the past would just brush with a fresh twig and maybe some salt, and their teeth were absolutely fine within the limits of not having any sort of dental care beyond "pull a bad tooth out with pliers".

and nowadays we have fancy electric toothbrushes that are way more effective than a twig, so really i see little reason to use toothpaste beyond society as a whole having been convinced that if your mouth doesn't taste like mint it's DISGUSTING.

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this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
327 points (92.7% liked)

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