Sodium lauryl sulfate in toothpaste: what is it and why is it harmful

To maintain dental health, careful care is needed. Of the various types of care products, paste is in demand. It provides fresh breath, eliminates the remnants of food. Often sodium lauryl sulfate is present in toothpaste. What is it for and what composition is safer is possible. learn from article

Structure

The content of the product depends on the manufacturer, price and type. In addition to water, the main components of pastes include abrasive substances. They have an important function - cleaning and polishing teeth.

There are specialized pastes, which are of the following types.

1. Anti-caries. Such products consist of fluorides, xylitol, calcium glycerophosphate, sodium bicarbonate phosphorus.
2. For sensitive teeth. They are saturated with chloride and potassium nitrate, silicon oxide, strontium chloride.
3. Anti-inflammatory. These pastes are enriched with aluminum lactate, herbal extracts, hexetidine, chlorhexidine, triclosan.
4. Whitening. They are created with silicon hydroxide, sodium pyrophosphates and potassium.
5. Sorption. The active ingredient is enterosgel.

Many pastes are made up of viscosifiers, colorants and flavors. The latter are divided into natural (esters, menthol, limonin) and artificial. There is a foaming toothpaste. In addition to the standard composition, there are additional components. This surfactant is a surface-active substance. In one remedy, it should be no more than 2%. That is why sodium laureth and lauryl sulfate are added. In the toothpaste there are binders that provide uniformity - pectin, glycerin, dextran, cellulose.

Sodium lauryl sulfate - what is it?

In the composition, it is referred to as Sodium lauryl sulfate. These are anionic surfactants that dissolve fats, cleanse, form a foam and moisten. Why sodium lauryl sulfate in toothpaste? The component has the ability to oxidize, due to which a film forms on the skin and mucous membranes. From its impact is observed:

• rash;
• redness;
• irritation;
• peeling;
• allergy.

Even because of sodium lauryl sulfate, there is a violation of the water-fat balance of the skin, stimulation of fat formation. Through the skin, the component penetrates into the internal organs, accumulating in them. Kidneys, heart, liver, brain, eyes suffer. The chemical acts on the protein tissue of the visual organs, leading to cataracts. The carcinogenicity of the substance is not proven, but it is known that after entering into a reaction with other substances, it causes cancer. In men, SLS causes fertility to decline.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

In addition to sodium lauryl sulfate, there is another aggressive substance in toothpaste - sodium sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). The component is especially appreciated by manufacturers, since it is cheap, provides foam and the illusion of cost savings. The substance is irritating to the oral mucosa and skin, especially with a tendency to allergies.

Like SLS, it interacts with other components of the care products, creating dioxins and nitrates, and increases the risk of cancer. Laureth sulfate, as well as its analogue, can inhibit the immune system and destroy skin proteins. SLES has a less aggressive and irritating effect on the skin. Its side effect is lower compared to lauryl sulfate.

Functions

Why in pastes SLES and SLS? These components are anionic surfactants. Their molecules are fixed at one end to a particle of water, and at the other to fat. Therefore, sodium sulfates have an excellent degreasing and cleansing effect. They have neither taste nor color; they dissolve perfectly in water. Using salts of magnesium and calcium, poorly soluble substances are created that form a coating.

Lauryl sulfate is made from lauryl acids with sodium and sulfuric acid. In addition to natural raw materials, synthetic from petroleum products is often used. SLES is created by modifying SLS. Components are added for foaming. It is with their help that a small amount of paste provides a full mouth of foam.

When brushing your teeth, substances enter the blood vessels of the mouth and are carried throughout the body. This is due to the high ability of oral tissues to absorb. What is harmful sodium lauryl sulfate? Due to this component:

• the enamel becomes thinner;
• the sensitivity of the gums is enhanced;
• the oral mucosa is dried;
• stomatitis appears.

In the digestive tract, components penetrate when swallowed and lead to diseases. Even if the mouth is rinsed thoroughly, a certain amount of the drug enters the stomach. This also happens during oral hygiene.

Where else are used

Previously, components were used in industrial cleaning products for machines and various surfaces. In the medical field, substances began to be used as skin irritants for experiments. Scientists tested the effectiveness of drugs to eliminate irritation.

Sulfates are most common in the manufacture of household chemicals, decorative and caring cosmetics. About 90% of shampoos include sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates. Still components are in shower gels and washing. They are added to shaving, washing up, make-up remover and personal hygiene products, washing powders and liquid soap. Sulphates in creams and products that are not washed off the skin are especially harmful.

Parabens

There are parabens in almost every dentifrice. They are preservatives that extend the shelf life of the product. On packages, substances can be indicated as:

• methyl parabens;
• propyl parabens;
• butyl parabens;
• ethyl parabens.

In cosmetics, they add no more than 0.4% by weight of the product. Scientists believe that parabens affect the incidence of breast and reproductive organs. This is due to the fact that the accumulation of components in the body leads to an overabundance of estrogen and a change in the hormonal system. Allergies also appear from preservatives, they corrode the skin. They act on the structure of DNA, quickly lead to aging.

Disguise

How are hazardous substances disguised? Often manufacturers distort the names of harmful components and replace them with others. Lauryl sulfate, which is obtained through oil refining, is often disguised as an analogue that is extracted from coconut or coconut oil.

The indication on the package “Without parabens” is not always true. Often, manufacturers deceive customers by designating methyl paraoxybenzoate. But the essence remains the same: the components are parabens.

Harmful substances

In addition to SLS and SLES, other harmful components are present in the paste.

1. Triclosan. This is a synthetic antibiotic that is added to drugs to eliminate harmful bacteria. If antibiotics are often used, the microflora of the mouth suffers, since pathogens also destroy beneficial microorganisms. Long-term use of drugs with triclosan leads to the progression of tonsillitis, periodontitis and other ailments.
2. Chlorhexidine. This is an antiseptic component added to pastes to protect against plaque and inflammation of the oral cavity. The substance eliminates the pathogenic and beneficial microflora of the mouth, and when it penetrates the digestive tract it has the same effect.
3. Fluorine. The component is present in tooth care pastes, which protects the enamel from destruction by bacteria and acids. But oral hygiene with fluoride agents leads to an overdose of the component. This is due to the fact that fluorine enters the body from other sources: tap water, food, tea. The component is in buckwheat, rice, oats, apples, citrus fruits, walnuts, fish, seafood, potatoes. The daily norm of fluoride for adults is 2 mg, for children over 4 years old - 2 times less. Exceeding the norm leads to urolithiasis, destruction of bone and joint tissues, impaired memory and thinking, and thyroid diseases.
4. Formaldehyde. This is a toxic component that is found in almost every remedy to eliminate germs. Its penetration into the body adversely affects vision, skin, liver, kidneys, lungs, DNA.
5. Aluminum lactate. The component is added to eliminate inflammation and in means for sensitive teeth. With it bleeding is removed. Aluminum salts are harmful to brain cells. Symptoms include a decrease in mental abilities, memory, impaired coordination, dementia. Due to the accumulation of aluminum, calcium and phosphorus are not absorbed, which negatively affects the musculoskeletal system.
6. Propylene glycol. The component is able to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the paste. It affects the immune and respiratory systems, leading to dermatitis, allergies, dry mucous membranes.

Choosing Safe Pasta

When buying hygiene products, one must take into account the arrangement of components in the product. The higher the concentration of the substance, the closer to the beginning of the list it is indicated. All ingredients must be fixed both on the package and on the tube. If this rule is not respected, the manufacturer is probably hiding something.

If in doubt, what to choose: a product with or without fluoride, you need to adjust the diet and determine the daily intake of the component. Still need to take into account the fluorination of tap water and the level of its filtration. There are cities where water is saturated with fluorine in large quantities. In this case, it is better not to choose fluoride pastes. The percentage of fluoride in the product is indicated under the abbreviation ppm and should not be more than 1,500 propromille - 0.015% of the total mass. If this mark is missing, it is advisable not to buy the product.

A very long shelf life should be alarming, as this is a sign of an excess of preservatives. You should also consider the color of the strip on the tube, which determines its danger.

1. The black. The strip means that components have been added that exacerbate periodontal disease.
2. Red. In this case, fluorine, sulfates or antibiotics are present.
3. Blue. The paste includes synthetic ingredients.
4. Green. The product is considered completely natural.

The need for cleaning

The oral cavity is considered one of the most in contact with the environment areas of the body. There are many bacteria there. The teeth are intended for the mechanical processing of food, that is, the chewing of products whose remains are stuck between the teeth. This provides a favorable environment for microorganisms. When a person has not brushed his teeth for a long time, bacteria quickly multiply, and a soft coating appears.

This plaque negatively affects the teeth, because it secretes acid, which destroys tooth enamel. If you do not clean it, then caries gradually appears. Another plaque leads to a violation of the natural barrier to infections in the mouth. It also leads to halitosis - bad breath, the formation of tartar. With regular cleaning of the teeth from soft plaque, microorganisms will not have a chance to cause tooth decay and other problems.

Where is no sodium lauryl sulfate?

Now, toothpastes without SLS and SLES are still available. Foaming in them is carried out by a practically harmless component of sodium lauryl sarcosinate. Often, sulfate-free packaging is labeled “no SLS”. You should read the list of toothpastes without sodium lauryl sulfate:

1. President Classic.
2. ROCS - standard, Bionica, Energy, coffee and tobacco, children.
3. Silca Multicomplex.
4. Toothpaste from Natur Siberik - “Arctic Defense”.
5. Biomed Superwhite.
6. Splat.
7. Recipes grandmother Agafia.
8. "New pearl with calcium."
9. Jason Natural Power smile.

Where there is?

Toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate include:

1. ROCS - with chocolate, berry flavors.
2. Blend-a-med.
3. Colgate.
4. "New pearls."
5. "Forest Balsam."
6. Aquafresh
7. Marvis.

Crest 3d white paste contains sodium lauryl sulfate. It is advisable not to constantly use tools with this component. There are effective products without this substance. Also in Crest 3d white there are polyphosphates, which provide loosening of tartar, its washing out, as well as the removal of enamel itself. The tool is abrasive.

How to brush your teeth?

Teeth should be cleaned at least 2 times a day - in the morning after eating and in the evening. Dentists advise doing this for at least 3 minutes. In addition to cleansing the tooth, attention should be paid to the interdental spaces, as food residues get stuck in them, on which plaque quickly grows. They can be cleaned with dental flosses.

Brushing the teeth with rinses, preferably herbal. It is important that there is no alcohol or chlorhexidine in this product. The duration of contact of the rinse with the oral cavity is 30 seconds. After eating, you need to brush your teeth. For this, chewing gums are used, which clean the oral cavity in 5-7 minutes.

Sometimes with problematic teeth, chewing gum is harmful, so you need to use a rinse after eating. You must consult your dentist on how to properly brush your teeth. Twice a year, you need to do a professional tooth brushing at the dentist. The specialist will clean what is not cleaned at home - tartar, plaque.

Toothpaste is an important oral care product. But it is important to read the composition so that the selected products include only safe components. Then the toothpaste used will be completely healthy.