3 Reasons Why you Should look for an SLS Free Toothpaste

Self Reflection:

• Do I pay attention to the ingredients in my personal care products?
• Could the ingredients in my toothpaste be harming my oral health?
• What’s an easy way to upgrade my wellness routine?

Key takeaways:

• Many commercial toothpastes contain unnecessary additives, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
• Glycolipids are a natural, eco-friendly ingredient that can replace common foaming agents such as SLS — yet hardly anyone is using it in their toothpaste.
• Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (or SLS) can compromise oral health.

When was the last time you took a closer look at the ingredient list on your toothpaste?

Believe it or not, you may want to keep an eye out for more than just fluoride.

More people are learning about why they may want to choose fluoride-free toothpaste over standard toothpaste brands. However, another common toothpaste ingredient could sabotage your best efforts at oral care — sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

Keep reading to learn more about sodium lauryl sulfate, why you may want to choose an SLS-free toothpaste, and why we use glycolipids in our toothpaste for optimum oral health.

What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?

If you’ve spent time reading the ingredient lists on your personal care products, there’s a good chance you’ve seen sodium lauryl sulfate (or SLS) somewhere in the formula. We’re talking shampoos, shaving creams, mouthwash, hair dye, and everything in between; SLS is a fairly common ingredient.

Another place you’re likely to find SLS? Check out your household cleaning products. Yep, you read that right.

The same ingredient in your laundry soap, dishwashing liquid, and bathroom cleaners could lurk in your teeth-whitening toothpaste.

So what’s it doing there?

In a nutshell, sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfactant that acts as an emulsifier.

Think of it this way: When a product contains oil and water, the only way to get those ingredients to blend is to add an element that helps them do exactly that. Even though other ingredients do this (more on that soon), SLS often pops up on those ingredient lists.

It’s not just about SLS acting as a thickener, however; it’s also about it being used as a foaming agent.

Many times, it’s sodium lauryl sulfate that’s responsible for the foamy shampoo experience you get when you wash your hair or dishes.

SLS is responsible for the foamy experience in toothpaste.

While it might seem like the amount of bubbles you see correlates to how clean something is getting, that isn’t necessarily the case.

More often than not, lathering agents are used as a psychological trigger that gives you the illusion that something is being cleaned without actually cleaning.

If your goal is to nurture and support your oral health, you might want to think twice about what you’re putting on your toothbrush. Choosing an SLS-free toothpaste is the first step to take.

3 Reasons Why You Should Choose SLS-Free Toothpaste

Staving off gum disease and maintaining healthy teeth (and a bright smile) doesn’t have to come at the cost of turning to harmful toothpaste brands. Aside from avoiding fluoride, an SLS-free toothpaste may make all the difference in your oral health.

Here are three reasons you may want to avoid products with SLS in your dental health routine.

1. SLS is an Unnecessary Additive

Sometimes it isn’t clear which ingredients do the heavy lifting in your toothpaste, and the more additives and extras in a formulation, the more confusing it can be.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is one of several unnecessary additives, including detergents, dyes, parabens, and other chemical preservatives. It’s important to note that the SLS you see on ingredient lists can be synthetic and petroleum-based or more naturally derived (although this still requires chemical synthesis).

But don’t be fooled into thinking SLS is a must in your toothpaste. It isn’t.

Glycolipids are an excellent sulfate-free swap for the foaming action provided by sodium lauryl sulfate. Even more, it’s 100% biodegradable and more environmentally friendly.

Made from fermented sugars, glycolipids are also biocompatible, so there’s no harm in swallowing (unlike other toothpastes made with fluoride).

FYI: SLS isn’t just lurking in big brands like Colgate and Biotene. Even if you do see a toothpaste that is SLS-free, such as Sensodyne Pronamel, it may not be fluoride-free. SLS can also be in more natural toothpaste such as Tom’s of Maine, so it’s important that you take a few minutes to thoroughly read through the ingredient list before you buy.

2. Support Your Oral Microbiome

Why not skip the chemical cocktail and choose an SLS-free toothpaste? Better yet, pick one with higher quality and more natural ingredients in the first place.

If you visit a natural dentist, they’re likely to recommend looking for products with more recognizable and natural ingredients. Here are some things to keep in mind as you shop:

• Pass on artificial flavors and look for toothpaste made with pure ingredients. Fresh mint flavoring from peppermint or spearmint is a great option. Xylitol, aloe, baking soda, tea tree, and coconut oil or coconut water are natural ingredients that are more supportive of your oral microbiome than those you may find in standard toothpaste.
• Regardless of your oral care goals: sensitivity relief, extra whitening, or maintaining fresh breath and healthy gums, a higher concentration of active ingredients will win out over additives and filler ingredients.

You don’t have to stick with SLS-based toothpaste for effective cleaning of your mouth. SLS-free alternatives such as glycolipids are effective and safer.

Karmicare’s Biorhythmic Oral Hygiene Set is the most effective SLS-free toothpaste option for whole body health that extends beyond your mouth.

Shop Karmicare SLS-Free Toothpaste Now

Being natural compounds, glycolipids help maintain a healthy balance in your mouth while being gentle on sensitive tissues. Unlike SLS which can sometimes cause dryness and irritation, glycolipids create a mild, smooth foam that effectively cleans your mouth without irritating.

Pro Tip: Karmicare is safe for the whole family. It’s designed to be left on your teeth instead of going down the drain (like conventional toothpaste with SLS and fluoride). Since it’s safe to swallow, there’s no need to buy a specialty kids' toothpaste, making Karmicare a superior choice in oral care.

Brushing with SLS-free Toothpaste Helps Improve Your Oral Health

3. SLS May Cause Oral Irritation

Despite your resolve to take terrific care of your teeth, the wrong toothpaste formula can undermine your efforts every time you reach for your toothbrush.

SLS is a known irritant and may be causing oral issues you didn't know could be connected to sodium lauryl sulfate.

Using toothpaste with SLS leads to canker sores, dry mouth, bad breath, and sensitive teeth. Sodium lauryl sulfate dries out the tissues of your mouth. When those conditions change, so will the pH of your oral environment, which can lead to those uncomfortable (and downright unpleasant) experiences.

Using toothpaste with SLS can also cause tissue sloughing, which is precisely what it sounds like.

The skin inside your mouth is thin and delicate, hence, the skin of your inner cheeks and lips become more prone to peeling. This results in further discomfort.

Consider switching from your old brand to an SLS-free toothpaste and say goodbye to persistent canker sores and bad breath.

Make That Switch Now

Did You Know?

Karmicare's dental floss contains activated charcoal, so you can safely get an even brighter smile. The charcoal will help lift tea and coffee stains, whiten areas your toothbrush may miss, and eliminate plaque buildup.

Not all toothpastes are created equal. While some toothpastes may appear to support your oral health goals, sometimes they do more harm than good. Being mindful and particular about the ingredients you're using in your toothpaste pays dividends.

Moreso, they can take wellness one step further than oral health and can support your whole body.