If you follow standard oral hygiene recommendations, then you are brushing your teeth twice per day with a good quality fluoride-based toothpaste. While many kinds of toothpaste on the market are healthy for your teeth, there are several harmful ingredients in toothpaste that can do more harm than good for your pearly whites.
Protect your teeth by learning which toothpaste ingredients to avoid so that next time you buy toothpaste at the pharmacy, you can choose a tube that promotes dental health rather than causing damage to your teeth.
1. Triclosan
Triclosan is an organic compound that has antibacterial properties. So, it is sometimes included in toothpaste to help prevent gum disease. Although triclosan is FDA-approved, it has been linked to thyroid function disruption and antibiotic resistance.
According to the American Dental Association, triclosan is no longer available in toothpaste in the U.S as of 2019, but you may need to throw out any old toothpaste containers that contain the ingredient.
2. Microbeads
Microbeads used to be found in toothpaste as a mildly abrasive agent to help remove food and debris and whiten teeth. Microbeads are made from insoluble plastics that cannot be digested and often end up in local waterways, adsorbing toxic chemicals and harming marine wildlife.
Like triclosan, microbeads are no longer found in new toothpaste in the U.S. due to the 2015 Microbead-Free Waters Act.
3. Charcoal
For the past few years, activated charcoal has grown in popularity as a whitening agent for toothpaste. While it may remove some surface stains, charcoal is not a beneficial ingredient to use on your teeth every day. Avoid charcoal toothpastes as they can:
- Wear down the enamel on your teeth
- Cause tooth sensitivity
- Stain or damage artificial teeth
If you are concerned about the color of your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist at Hinsdale Dental to discuss professional whitening options.
4. Sodium Bicarbonate (A.K.A. Baking Soda)
Baking soda is an abrasive ingredient that is found in many toothpastes on the market. While a little baking soda can wear away surface stains, the abrasive nature of the compound eventually wears away the enamel on your teeth, which makes them appear yellow and discolored.
The abrasive texture can also irritate the gums. The alkaline chemical makeup can disrupt the delicate pH balance in your mouth. It is best to avoid toothpaste products containing baking soda as the ingredient is not necessary for clean, healthy teeth.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a detergent found in many toothpastes. It is used to create the foamy feeling that you associate with cleaning your teeth. Unfortunately, SLS can cause skin irritation, and it aggressively irritates mouth ulcers.
Although SLS doesn’t cause a reaction in everyone, if you notice an increase in mouth ulcers, chapped lips, or skin irritation from your toothpaste, look to see if it contains SLS. If it does, throw it out and find a brand that is SLS-free.
Schedule Your Dental Exam With Hinsdale Dental
Along with your at-home teeth cleaning routine, visiting your dentist every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning is important.
Contact the team at Hinsdale Dental to schedule an oral exam to ensure your teeth are in good condition and ask any questions about the toothpaste you use. Call us at (630) 323-5200 or email our team at [emailprotected].
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FAQs
ARM & HAMMER Essentials Whiten & Strengthen Fluoride Toothpaste: Proven to smooth surface imperfections and restore gloss and luster to your smile while being free of SLS, parabens, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners and dyes.
What is the safest toothpaste for your teeth? ›
But they are all highly recommended by dentists.
- Colgate Total. ...
- Crest Pro-Health. ...
- Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste. ...
- Arm and Hammer Dental Care Advance Cleaning Mint Toothpaste w/Baking Soda. ...
- Tom's of Maine Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste. ...
- Crest Tartar Protection.
ARM & HAMMER Essentials Whiten & Strengthen Fluoride Toothpaste: Proven to smooth surface imperfections and restore gloss and luster to your smile while being free of SLS, parabens, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners and dyes.
What toothpaste do dentists not recommend? ›
Be sure to avoid any toothpastes that contain activated charcoal. Too often, unregulated toothpastes containing extremely harsh particles end up causing serious enamel damage and permanent discoloration.
What toothpaste to stay away from? ›
Avoid harsh chemicals, carcinogens, and hormones disruptors such as triclosan and titanium dioxide. For a non-toxic alternative for preventing tooth decay, try hydroxyapatite toothpaste! And make sure to use only safe and gentle baby toothpaste for your little one to ensure their safety and development.
Why avoid fluoride in toothpaste? ›
The reason for these recommendations is because when too much fluoride is ingested, it is toxic. Excess fluoride ingestion is linked to dental fluorosis, a condition that causes tooth enamel to become discoloured and which when present can indicate that the rest of your body has been overexposed to fluoride as well.
Is stannous fluoride better than sodium fluoride? ›
Stannous fluoride provides severe protection against plaque, bacteria, and tooth protection. It also gives the required cavity protection. In contrast, sodium fluoride only helps in the defense against the cavity.
What ingredient in toothpaste kills bacteria? ›
Triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol] has been used for more than 30 years as a general antibacterial and antifungal agent, which is found in formulations such as toothpastes and mouthrinses.
What toothpaste do doctors actually recommend? ›
Consumer Experience
| Category | Toothpaste Product |
|---|
| Best for General Use | Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste |
| Best for Sensitive Teeth | Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste |
| Best for Whitening | Tom's of Maine Simply White Natural Fluoride Toothpaste |
| Best for Natural Pick | The Natural Dentist All In One SLS FREE Aloe Toothpaste |
Nov 30, 2023
Dental hygienists use a flavored polishing toothpaste made of pumice, flavoring, and usually a tiny amount of fluoride. This normally follows the scaling process, which is when hygienists use metal tools to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth. The polishing toothpaste is much more coarse than regular toothpaste.
Tooth Care
with a soft bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum, optimally with a natural toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. Dr. Humphrey recommends Wellnesse, Boka or Risewell toothpastes. We also recommend the use of oral probiotics, such as Revitin toothpaste or Burst oral probiotic tablets.
Should I avoid SLS in toothpaste? ›
Yes, you may want to avoid SLS due to its potential for causing adverse side effects. While SLS is generally considered safe for most people and provides effective cleaning properties, some individuals may experience oral irritation or sensitivity to this ingredient.
Is crest toothpaste SLS free? ›
Crest Pro-Health Clean & Free Toothpaste is uniquely formulated to be free of SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate), Dyes, and Preservatives while providing protection against cavities, gingivitis, plaque, tooth sensitivity, enamel, plus it freshens your breath.
Why is SLS bad for you? ›
SLS can cause severe skin irritation and there's a higher rate of contact allergy to it. Due to its oil- and skin-stripping properties, it may clog pores and cause acne for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The World Health Organization (WHO) has detailed several warnings about SLS.
What are the best ingredients in toothpaste for healthy teeth? ›
Fluoride. Fluoride is the key ingredient included in toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay. There are three types of fluorides you may see listed on toothpaste tubes. These include sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP), sodium fluoride (NaF) and stannous fluoride (SnF2).
