Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate in Toothpaste: Ingredients To Avoid

You brush your teeth twice a day, and spit out the toothpaste. And because you spit it out, it doesn’t matter whether there are bad ingredients in toothpaste, right?

Sorry to disappoint you, but it does matter. Now, I’m not telling you to give up brushing your teeth. Dental hygiene is important, and it affects your overall health. But if you haven’t already, it’s probably time to start checking to see if there are any toothpaste toxins in your tube.

Choosing toothpaste with eco-friendly ingredients, such as those classified in the Handbook of Green Chemicals, is crucial. These green chemicals are recognized for their biodegradable properties and minimal processing, making them a safer and more sustainable choice.

Introduction to Toothpaste Toxins

Toothpaste is a daily essential for maintaining good oral hygiene, but have you ever stopped to think about the ingredients in your toothpaste? Your mouth is one of the most absorbent parts of your body, meaning that some of the substances in your toothpaste can be absorbed into your bloodstream. This can lead to the ingestion of potentially toxic substances, which can cause harm to the human body. In this article, we will explore the risks of toothpaste toxins and provide guidance on how to choose a safe toothpaste.

Why Should You Worry About Bad Toothpaste Ingredients for Sensitive Teeth?

Your mouth is one of the most absorbent parts of your body. Some medications are even administered by putting them under your tongue.

So even though you’re spitting out your toothpaste, at least some of the ingredients are being absorbed into your bloodstream. For example, sarcosine, a natural amino acid found in the body, is used in some toothpaste formulations and can be absorbed.

Before we get on to toxins in toothpaste, let’s have a look at what’s in your typical toothpaste tube.

What's in Toothpaste?

To get toothpaste in the squeezy tube that we’re all used to, there are a few different groups of ingredients that are used.

• Abrasives

• Humectants and binders

• Detergents

  • Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate: A foaming and cleansing agent known for its effectiveness in shampoos, toothpaste, and shaving foams. It is gentle on the skin and environmentally friendly, enhancing hair's shine and body.

• Flavours

• Preservatives

• Colourings

• Therapeutics (like fluoride)

Toxic Ingredients in Toothpaste: What to Avoid, Including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Artificial colours:

The Macleans toothpaste that I reviewed has these synthetic colours in it: CI 73360 (D&C Red 30) - scores a 5 in EWG, CI 74260 which is a green and also scores a 5 in EWG, and CI 74160 which is a blue and scores a 4. They’re derived from coal tar, they’re considered to be toxic, and all they do is make your toothpaste look pretty. You don’t need them, so avoid them.

Artificial flavours:

They’re not usually toxic, but there’s not much benefit to them. Whereas essential oils have other benefits like antibacterial or antifungal properties, you really don’t need artificial flavours. Skip them where possible.

Artificial sweeteners:

Look out for sodium saccharin, and aspartame. Although they’re obviously better than sugar to sweeten your toothpaste, some people can have issues if they swallow it. Better choices for sweeteners are xylitol, which is actually good for teeth, and stevia.

Carrageenan:

Carrageenan, which you’ll also see as chondrus crispus extract, can cause issues if you ingest it. As you don’t swallow toothpaste, I don’t have a problem with it in adult toothpastes. It is worth avoiding in kids’ toothpastes, as lots of kids can’t or won’t spit their toothpaste out.

Diethanolamine (DEA):

DEA is a pH adjuster, and it’s banned in the EU, but you can still find it in some toothpastes in Australia. There are lots of issues with this one: it’s a possible carcinogen; skin irritant; may contain harmful impurities (nitrosamines); may trigger asthma; and studies show endocrine disruption and neuro developmental, brain and nervous system effects. Not a good one, so avoid it.

Fluoride:

There’s lots of arguments both for and against using fluoride in your toothpaste. Dentists recommend it, but if you live in an area where your water is fluoridated, you might decide to skip the fluoride in your toothpaste. For children under 6 who are still swallowing toothpaste, you might want to choose a toothpaste without fluoride. It’s easy to find a good natural non fluoride toothpaste, but harder to find a natural toothpaste with fluoride. But I do have some suggestions, so read on!

Microbeads:

Yep, those nasty little pieces of plastic that end up in our waterways and then inside fish are also found in some toothpastes as an abrasive.

Parabens:

You want to avoid parabens in toothpaste. They’re a preservative, and although you do need preservatives in toothpaste to keep bacteria at bay, there are better preservatives. Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, they’re possible carcinogens, and they’ve also been linked to brain nervous system effects.

Propylene glycol:

Propylene glycol helps to keep your toothpaste moist, so that it squeezes easily out of the tube. However, it’s skin, eye and lung irritant, and it’s a penetration enhancer. That means that it helps other chemicals penetrate more easily into your skin - not so great if you’ve got toxic ingredients in your toothpaste!

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate:

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a penetration enhancer, and there can be concerns with nitrosamine contamination. This ingredient only scores a 3 in EWG, so it’s not a big concern, but it might be one to watch out for, especially if there are other not-so-great ingredients in the toothpaste. It is derived from sarcosine, a natural amino acid, and is known for its gentle and eco-friendly properties.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES):

SLES is a surfactant and foaming agent. It acts like a detergent to clean dirt off your teeth. It’s a skin irritant and a penetration enhancer, and it can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane. Another one that I avoid.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS):

SLS is also surfactant and foaming agent. It’s a skin irritant, but it scores low in EWG (1-2) so it’s not toxic. Personally, I find it very irritating, so I always look for an SLS free toothpaste. If you don’t find it irritating, you might be okay with this one.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles:

Titanium dioxide is used to make toothpaste look whiter. There are some concerns about titanium nanoparticles, specifically the additive E171. As they’re so small, they may be able to pentrate your gums. Non-nano is fine, nano is not fine. You may also see it listed in the ingredients as CI 77891.

Triclosan:

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and a preservative. It’s a possible endocrine disrupter, an immune system toxicant and it’s a skin irritant. It scores a 7 in EWG, so you really don’t want to be using triclosan toothpaste.

The Risks of Foaming Agents

Foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are commonly used in toothpaste to create that satisfying foamy texture. However, these agents are not necessary for toothpaste to effectively clean your teeth. In fact, foaming agents can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums, cheeks, and tongue, leading to canker sores and other mouth irritations. SLS has also been shown to interfere with fibroblasts, the cells in connective tissue that produce collagen and other fibers critical to wound healing. While the European Union has banned SLS in foods, it is still used in many toothpastes in the United States. If you have sensitive teeth or are prone to mouth irritations, it might be best to avoid toothpastes containing SLS.

Non-toxic Toothpaste Ingredients

Not all toothpaste ingredients are created equal. Some are safer and more effective than others. For example, hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen and remineralize teeth. Xylitol, a natural sweetener, can help reduce the risk of cavities. Essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus provide a fresh and clean flavor without the use of artificial sweeteners or flavors. Coconut oil is another natural ingredient that can help to moisturize and soothe the mouth. These ingredients not only help maintain dental health but also avoid the risks associated with synthetic chemicals.

Choosing a Safe Toothpaste

When choosing a toothpaste, it’s essential to read the ingredient label carefully. Look for toothpastes that are labeled as “non-toxic” or “natural.” Avoid toothpastes that contain foaming agents like SLS or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. Instead, opt for toothpastes that use natural ingredients like hydroxyapatite, xylitol, and essential oils. You can also consider making your own toothpaste at home using natural ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils. This way, you have full control over what goes into your dental care routine.

Non toxic toothpaste ingredients: Essential Oils

Here are some ingredients that look scary, but actually aren’t.

Activated charcoal is an abrasive and helps remove surface stains on teeth. You can get bamboo charcoal toothpaste and coconut charcoal toothpaste, but there’s not really much difference between the two. It’s become so popular that I’m writing a whole separate cheat sheet to help you find the best charcoal toothpaste.

Hydroxyapatite is a biocompatible material that naturally occurs in bones, teeth and saliva as a mineral form of calcium apatite. It helps remineralise teeth, so this is a good one to have in toothpaste. There are some studies that show it remineralises teeth better than fluoride.

Potassium nitrate is used for tooth sensitivity, and is considered the safest active ingredient for sensitive teeth. It’s not recommended for children, though.

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a gentle cleansing agent often used in foam wash products. It creates a rich and stable lather, effectively attracting and removing dirt and oil while being mild enough not to strip natural moisture.

Titanium dioxide in its non-nano form is harmless, so this is one you don’t need to worry about.

Xylitol is a sweetener that also seems to be beneficial in preventing tooth decay, according to some studies.

Natural Alternatives to Natural Toothpaste

You do need to brush your teeth,  but you don't need to use toxic toothpaste.

There are lots of great natural toothpastes available, and if you want to use fluoride, it's not that hard to find a good natural toothpaste with fluoride.

Practice good dental hygiene: brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth, use a tongue scraper and you can even try oil pulling. Keep an eye on your diet: avoid sugary drinks, drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet. All of these things will help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Looking for a great natural toothpaste? Check out our Natural Toothpaste Cheat Sheet for an indepth review of all the best toothpastes for your family.

Image: DepositPhotos

Conclusion

Toothpaste toxins are a real concern, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. By choosing a safe toothpaste that uses natural ingredients, you can reduce your exposure to potentially toxic substances. Remember to always read the ingredient label carefully and avoid toothpastes that contain foaming agents like SLS or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. With a little knowledge and awareness, you can keep your teeth and mouth healthy and safe.