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Q. I used to have continuous terrible canker sores. I discovered that my toothpaste was the culprit. Since I brush my teeth daily, it was a never-ending cycle.
There is an ingredient in all the name brand toothpastes (sodium lauryl sulfate) that can cause problems for sensitive people. Switching brands made an immediate difference. I now buy my toothpaste at health food stores and almost never have canker sores anymore.
Others may want to try this approach, eliminating the problem rather than treating the symptoms. It can't hurt and it might help.
A. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a detergent found in toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, bubble bath and car wash soaps. Research on the effects of SLS on teeth and mouth is complicated and contradictory.
Some studies from the 1990s suggested that SLS might contribute to canker sores, while other trials showed no impact. More recently, SLS has been implicated in wear on tooth surfaces and irritation in the mouth (Swedish Dental Journal, Jan-March, 2003).
Some people may be more susceptible than others. Another reader offered this story: “I used to have canker sores all the time and then I read about SLS in toothpaste. I searched around for toothpaste that did not contain this ingredient. I started using Biotene toothpaste and I have not had a canker sore since I started using this product. It also reduces dry mouth.”
Was this information helpful? Average rating: 4.3/5 (14 votes)
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I used to have Canker Sores and my tongue was always sore and I did some research and found out about the Sodium Laurl Sulfate in toothpaste. I found a toothpaste, Biotene, that did not have that ingredient and I have not had a Canker sore or sore tongue since using it. My gums are also healthier.
My husband kept getting canker sores in his mouth. I read an article about washing the mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide and his canker sores disappeared.
This is very true about the tooth paste causing canker sores and in my case fever blisters also. I am now using WELEDA Salt Toothpaste and am free of the canker sores. I have use Tom's of Maine also and it its good. (No SLS)in either of these.
Two years ago my gums and tongue were red and painful. I thought I had become sensitive to toothpaste and decided to use nothing but organic toothpaste. Tom's of Maine (and later, others.) The redness and pain were gone in a week. I didn't know about sodium laurel sulfate, just figured it had something to do with Chinese ingredients. Tom's has been purchased by Colgate. Hope they don't change the product!
I am a dental hygienist. For years, I have cautioned patients to be aware of mouth irritations, cracks in the corners of their lips, or sensitive teeth when they changed toothpaste brands. A lot of tartar-control and whitening toothpastes can cause irritations and sensitive teeth. A patient told me once who keeps mouth ulcers that they were almost entirely eliminated by rinsing with Listerine everyday. That made a lot of sense to me, and I pass that info along to all my patients with mouth ulcers.
I had canker sores on and off for decades. They stopped when I switched to Rembrant toothpaste.
Though I rarely get canker sores, I suffer greatly from sore tongue (possibly due to medications which cause dry mouth)I cannot use toothpaste with SLS in it. If I use it even once, my tongue becomes immediately sore and the little bumps are raised and noticeable. This soreness lasts a long time,too. (days)
I don't care for Biotene & it's real expenisive. I found a new Sensodyne that as far as I can see has no SLS; it is called Pro Enamel. So far, so good.
My confusion is this: I have gone to buy Tom's of Maine, because I have been told it doesn't contain this ingredient, but I see it there on the list. (SLS)
My dentist was surprised when I told her this, too.
Can you tell me why I see it listed on the Tom's of Maine toothpaste, yet I hear people say it does not contain it?
I sure wish more manufacturers would get on the ball about this irritating ingredient. I will give up the sudsing, lathering qualities any day, for some relief!!!
I have also found toothpaste triggering canker sores, but it seems to be just the ones with added baking soda.
Tom's has both SLS containing and non-SLS. The latter type is noted in the name. (Try on-line drug stores.)
Thank you! I've been having a sore tongue off and on - more on than off - but the rest of my mouth is fine. I've been eliminating and adding foods to see if it's a food allergy. It must be the toothpaste. Now I have something to go on. thanks again.
Both my daughter & husband suffer from canker sores. I switched to Rembrandt Extra Gentle toothpaste, but it was costing nearly $7.00 a tube. I now buy Trader Joe's Peppermint Toothpaste, for about 2/3 less the cost & neither contains SLS.
I have been using Topol toothpaste and started to have a very sore tongue. Thanks to this site about the SLS I found out that it is the main ingredient in Topol. So, in the trash it will go.
Thanks!
I think it would be better to just try other toothpaste out in the market or use a natural one. If the toothpaste companies are reading this, then it would be better to create another kind of toothpaste without SLS, which can cause cranker sores to almost all their consumers.
I have found that the "complete" toothpastes cause my constant canker sores. Once I stopped using them the canker sores disappeared. I think those are the ones that fight plaque.