Toothpaste Ingredients to Avoid: The Complete Guide

SLS is a synthetic detergent and surfactant added to toothpaste to create foam. It has no cleaning benefit for your teeth. Its only function is to make the paste feel like it is working by producing that satisfying lather.

The problem is that SLS is a known irritant to the mucosal lining of the mouth. Multiple clinical studies have linked SLS directly to an increased frequency of canker sores (aphthous ulcers). One landmark study found that participants using SLS-free toothpaste experienced significantly fewer canker sore outbreaks than those using SLS-containing formulas.

SLS also strips the protective mucin layer from the inside of your cheeks and gums, leaving tissue more vulnerable to irritation and inflammation. If you suffer from frequent mouth sores, switching to an SLS-free toothpaste is one of the first things worth trying.

One important distinction worth knowing: Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) is a different compound that is sometimes confused with SLS because of the similar name. SLSA is derived from coconut and palm oils, is significantly milder, and does not carry the same irritation or canker sore research as SLS. If you see SLSA on a label, it is not the same ingredient and is generally considered safe for sensitive mouths.

What to look for on the label: Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laurilsulfate, SLS, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), monododecyl ester, sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt, aquarex methyl

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that was once widely used in toothpastes, soaps, and other personal care products. The FDA banned it from hand soaps in 2016 after manufacturers could not demonstrate that it was safe for long-term daily use or more effective than plain soap and water.

Triclosan remains approved for use in toothpaste under one specific exception, largely due to studies showing it reduces gingivitis. However, the concerns around it are significant:

• It is classified as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with hormone signaling in the body
• Animal studies have linked triclosan to thyroid hormone disruption
• There are concerns about its contribution to antibiotic resistance
• It has been detected in human blood, breast milk, and urine

Given these concerns, many toothpaste manufacturers have voluntarily removed triclosan from their formulas, but it still appears in some products. Always worth checking.

What to look for on the label: Triclosan, Microban

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles added to some toothpastes as abrasives and texture agents. They are made from synthetic polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene, which are the same materials used to make plastic bags and bottles.

These particles are small enough to get trapped under the gumline, where they can harbor bacteria and contribute to gum inflammation. They also rinse directly into waterways when you spit, where they are too small to be filtered by water treatment systems and contribute to microplastic pollution in oceans.

The US banned microbeads in rinse-off cosmetic products in 2015 through the Microbead-Free Waters Act, but the regulation does not cover all categories internationally. Checking your label is still worthwhile.

What to look for on the label: Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-12, nylon-6

Parabens are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of personal care products. They are found in everything from shampoo to moisturizer to toothpaste, and they are among the most studied and debated ingredients in the personal care industry.

The concern with parabens is that they are xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body. They bind to estrogen receptors and can disrupt normal hormonal function. Parabens have been detected in human breast tissue, and while a direct causal link to breast cancer has not been definitively established, the concern is significant enough that many manufacturers have moved away from them voluntarily.

For a product you use twice a day on highly absorbent mucosal tissue, parabens are worth avoiding.

What to look for on the label: Methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben

Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from red seaweed, used in toothpaste to give it a smooth, gel-like consistency. On the surface it sounds natural and harmless. The science tells a more complicated story.

Research has linked degraded carrageenan to intestinal inflammation, and while the carrageenan used in food and personal care products is a different form (undegraded), studies suggest it can be partially degraded in the acidic environment of the digestive system. Given that some toothpaste is inevitably swallowed, especially by children, this is a concern worth taking seriously.

Some research has also linked carrageenan to disruption of the gut microbiome and increased intestinal permeability. The European Union has banned carrageenan from infant formula as a precautionary measure.

What to look for on the label: Carrageenan, Irish moss extract, E407

There is no functional reason for toothpaste to be blue, red, or striped. Artificial dyes serve one purpose: making the product look more appealing on the shelf. The most commonly used dyes in toothpaste include FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2.

These synthetic dyes are derived from petroleum and have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals. Blue No. 1 in particular has been flagged in some research for its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, though more research is needed to understand the long-term implications.

Research published in Neurotherapeutics found that artificial dyes can have a negative effect on children even without a prior ADHD diagnosis. For parents choosing toothpaste for their kids, this is worth taking seriously. Children's toothpastes are often the most brightly colored and heavily dyed products in the oral care aisle.

The precautionary argument is simple: dyes add nothing to the effectiveness of toothpaste and carry real potential risks. They are worth avoiding.

What to look for on the label: FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, CI 42090, artificial colors, artificial flavors

Titanium dioxide is a whitening agent added to toothpaste to make it look bright white. It does not whiten your teeth. It whitens the paste itself, purely for cosmetic reasons.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified titanium dioxide as a possible human carcinogen when inhaled, which is the primary concern for workers in industrial settings. For toothpaste, the concern is less acute but still worth noting. The European Union's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has raised questions about the safety of nano-sized titanium dioxide particles in personal care products, and the EU moved to restrict its use in cosmetics in 2021.

What to look for on the label: Titanium dioxide, CI 77891

Propylene glycol is a synthetic compound used in toothpaste as a humectant (to keep the paste from drying out) and as a surfactant. It is also used in antifreeze, though at much higher concentrations.

At the levels used in toothpaste it is generally regarded as safe, but it is a known skin and mucous membrane irritant in some individuals. For people with sensitive mouths or existing gum irritation, propylene glycol can exacerbate symptoms. It also acts as a penetration enhancer, meaning it can help other ingredients absorb through the skin and mucosal tissue more quickly, which is not always desirable.

What to look for on the label: Propylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol

DEA is used in some toothpastes as a pH adjuster and foaming agent. The concern with DEA is that it can react with other ingredients in a formula to form nitrosamines, which are compounds classified as probable human carcinogens.

The European Union has restricted DEA in cosmetic products, and while its use in toothpaste is less common than in other personal care products, it still appears in some formulas. It is worth checking your label.

What to look for on the label: Diethanolamine, DEA, cocamide DEA

Toothpaste needs a mild abrasive to help remove plaque and surface stains. The problem is that some conventional toothpastes, particularly whitening formulas, use abrasives that are far too harsh for daily use.

Hydrated silica is one of the most common abrasive ingredients and one of the most aggressive. Used at high concentrations, it can scratch enamel and wear down dentin over time, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and, eventually, gum recession. The damage from overly abrasive toothpaste is cumulative, meaning it builds up with years of twice-daily brushing before it becomes noticeable.

Toothpaste abrasiveness is measured by a metric called Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). The FDA considers anything under 250 acceptable, but dentists generally recommend staying under 70 for daily use. Many whitening toothpastes push well above that threshold.

The irony is that overly abrasive whitening toothpastes can actually make teeth look more yellow over time by wearing away the white enamel layer and exposing the naturally yellowish dentin underneath.

What to look for on the label: Hydrated silica, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate at high concentrations. If a toothpaste makes aggressive whitening claims, its RDA is worth researching before committing to daily use.

Fluoride deserves its own mention because it is the most debated ingredient in oral care. Conventional dentistry has long advocated for fluoride as an effective cavity-prevention tool, and the research supporting its effectiveness at strengthening enamel is substantial.

However, concerns around fluoride center on fluorosis (overexposure during tooth development in children), and more recently, emerging research into its potential neurological effects at high levels of systemic exposure. Some parents prefer to avoid fluoride for their children, and an increasing number of adults are choosing fluoride-free alternatives.

Nano hydroxyapatite is the leading fluoride-free alternative. It is a biomimetic mineral that makes up the majority of tooth enamel and has been shown in clinical research to remineralize teeth as effectively as fluoride. It is the active ingredient in Huppy toothpaste tablets and is widely used in Japan where fluoride toothpaste is less common.

Ultimately, fluoride is a personal decision based on your own research and your dentist's guidance. What is clear is that if you choose to go fluoride-free, nano hydroxyapatite is the most evidence-backed alternative available.

Now that you know what to avoid, here is what a clean toothpaste ingredient list actually looks like:

• Active cleaning agent: Nano hydroxyapatite or fluoride for enamel support
• Natural flavor: Peppermint oil or spearmint oil rather than artificial flavors
• Natural sweetener: Xylitol, which not only sweetens but actively inhibits the bacteria that cause tooth decay
• Simple binders and thickeners: Ingredients you can pronounce, like xanthan gum
• No artificial dyes, no SLS, no parabens, no microbeads

The shorter and more recognizable the ingredient list, the better.

Huppy toothpaste tablets were built around one question: what does toothpaste actually need to contain to clean your teeth effectively?

The answer is far less than what most tubes include. Huppy tablets are:

• SLS-free — no harsh foaming agents, no canker sore triggers
• Fluoride-free — formulated with nano hydroxyapatite for clean, effective remineralization
• Free from artificial sweeteners, parabens, artificial dyes, and microbeads
• Packaged in a recyclable metal tin — no plastic tube ending up in a landfill

Every ingredient in Huppy tablets is there for a reason. Nothing is added for appearance, shelf life extension, or to make the product feel more like what you grew up using.

If you have been thinking about making the switch to cleaner oral care, reading this guide is a good first step. Trying Huppy is an even better one.

👉 [Shop Huppy Toothpaste Tablets →]

• FDA — Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-issues-final-rule-over-counter-antibacterial-hand-soap
• FDA — Microbead-Free Waters Act: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/microbead-free-waters-act-faqs
• National Institutes of Health — SLS and Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10344485/
• International Agency for Research on Cancer — Titanium Dioxide Classification: https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr153_E.pdf
• European Commission — Restriction of Titanium Dioxide in Cosmetics: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_4987
• National Institutes of Health — Phthalates and Endocrine Disruption: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3747989/
• National Institutes of Health — Carrageenan and Intestinal Inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1242073/
• National Institutes of Health — Aspartame as a Possible Carcinogen: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24436139/
• Environmental Working Group — Diethanolamine Hazard Score: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/700739-DIETHANOLAMINE/
• Neurotherapeutics — Artificial Food Colors and ADHD in Children: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/
• National Institutes of Health — Nano Hydroxyapatite for Enamel Remineralization: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521798/