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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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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[-] UnPassive@lemmy.world 1 points 11 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 11 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 11 months ago

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

[-] xapr 1 points 11 months ago

Cool, I hope it will be good!

[-] Soundhole@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.

[-] mayo@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

make more foam when you brush

I always buy a specific brand toothpaste (turns out it is SLS free) but broke from my routine and bought crest or colgate or something. I use a small amount but I have to empty my mouth of foam midway through brushing. I hate it. Gross.

I also have a canker sore but have been brushing my teeth more often (with the crest) thinking it would help. I guess not.

I have another toothpaste (clinipro) which is not foamy enough, I always feel like I'm running out of toothpaste as I'm brushing.

[-] xapr 1 points 1 month ago

After JASON discontinued the toothpaste I had been using for quite a while, I found Burt's Bees and liked it. However, I recently found out by scanning it with the Yuka app that the Burt's Bees paste had some other bad ingredient. So now I've switched to Hello toothpaste which seems to be pretty clean. If you ever get interested in trying another paste I would suggest Hello.

[-] mayo@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I'm quite attached to sensodyne since I have gum/cavity issues (genetics..). I want the science in my mouth. I don't know how much of that belief is just good marketing but I'm afraid to test it.

[-] xapr 2 points 1 month ago

I totally understand! After some people mentioned Sensodyne on this thread, I looked it up and indeed some Sensodyne "flavors" (but not all?) are SLS-free. From what I recall, there really is an ingredient in Sensodyne that reduces sensitivity. I don't know about gum/cavity issues though. Maybe your dentist can confirm. Take care!

[-] deft@ttrpg.network -1 points 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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
328 points (92.7% liked)

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