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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.”
Lubo
I had canker sores for years and I noticed that it depended on the toothpaste that I used. When I read about the studies linking SLS and canker sores, I checked the ingredients and sure enough, when I used SLS-free toothpaste they would stop. The challenge has been finding SLS-free fluoride toothpaste, as a lot of brands are either offering fluoride with SLS or fluoride-free and SLS-free.
Jeff Ohlsen
I suffered from constant canker sores for 40 years. About 10 years ago, my doctor recommended using a “sensitive” type toothpaste for my sensitive teeth. I tried a couple of brands and eventually settled on Aquafresh Sensitive toothpaste. After using it for a while, I realized that I hardly every had canker sores anymore. I wasn’t sure what changed, but eventually, I realized that it must have been the toothpaste. I talked to my dentist and she explained that sodium lauryl sulfate can cause canker sores for some people. For the last few weeks, I noticed that I was getting canker sores again and I couldn’t understand why because I was still using the AquaFresh Sensitive toothpaste and the rest of my diet had not changed much. I finally decided to check the ingredients of my new tube of toothpaste and I discovered that it now contains sodium lauryl sulfate. Now, I have to throw several tubes away and look for a new brand of toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
Chip
North Carolina
I was getting recurring canker sores about 3 years ago and heard about the connection with SLS in toothpaste. I started using SLS-free toothpaste and have been free of canker sores ever since.
Kevin H.
Indiana
I was getting mouth ulcers after drinking orange or grapefruit juices several days in a row. So I stopped drinking them and this “fixed” the problem. But I would still get the desire to drink them and get ulcers again. While I had an ulcer I went and got my teeth cleaned, I mentioned to my dentist about getting ulcers from citrus juices, he told me it was probably my toothpaste and to get a non-SLS tooth paste then try drinking citrus juices.
So I did and it worked. So I now drink citrus juices eat oranges and don’t get ulcers. Happy Days!
E J Hendricks
NH
Used to get severe canker sores and other mouth sores. Then I read about B12 sublingual vitamins. Found this from the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, that B12 soothed Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis, “regardless of the Vitamin B12 serum level.” Works for me.
Mackenzie
United States
Toothpaste can definitely cause canker sores (see SLS comments below). However, beware of the baking soda addition. Some commenters say baking soda toothpastes work for them. I have used Biotene for years (LOVE IT), but my dentist recommended adding baking soda to my Biotene to help with stain build-up. This annihilated my mouth. I have seven canker sores after 4 days of use 1x a day. While baking soda may work for some, it may be a canker sore catalyst for others. Ouch.
DF
Absolutely true. Suffered with mouth ulcers for years. Switched to a toothpaste without SLS (Superdrug – Total Enamel) and no more mouth ulcers. I have been away for 3 days and thought I would use the family toothpaste. Big mistake, I now have 3 ulcers so will never be without SLS free toothpaste again.
AL
Years ago I was plagued with multiple canker sores at any give time. It was awful! I went to several doctors and dentists and most concluded in was a viral infection and gave me meds.
Nothing worked until someone in passing (a hairdresser I think?) mentioned a possible link between SLS and canker sores. Switched to toothpaste without SLS and voila! No more canker sores. If I accidentally use a mouthwash or toothpaste that has SLS, I get a canker sore.
My fave brands have been Sensodyne (check labels as some have SLS and some don’t) and there is a new one from Crest without it too.
RJ
For years I would get Canker sores all the time. When I quit smoking the breakouts got even worse and I would pretty much have five or six at any given time. After doing research, I eliminated SLS, Barley and diet Soda from my diet and now I only get them every few months.
Tavc
I was reading this blog because my gums are slothing off. My hygienist said it was an agent in tartar control toothpaste. However, I am writing to all you who suffer from ulcers. My 9 year old daughter constantly had ulcers in her mouth. I did some research and found that there is a link to mouth ulcers and food allergies. We ran an IgG Elisa comprehensive food panel on her. Sure enough she was allergic to eggs, wheat, gluten, yeast, yogurt and many other things. She had a biopsy and it turns put she has celiac disease. Needless to say, she avoids the foods she is allergic to and she has no more ulcers.
Kyle Johnson
I have had horrible problems with canker sores in the past. I used to use regular name brand toothpaste in order to try to keep my mouth clean and stop the problem too and it never got better, in fact it often worsened. It took me years to finally get online searching for information about how to stop this suffering and I learned of SLS products causing the sores in certain people. So I stopped using any regular toothpaste and switched to baking soda or something like Biotene when it was available. I have had little or no problems with canker sores ever since!
ndcity
Tom’s whitening and Colgate have SLS. I had a bad case of mouths sores a few months ago that I attributed to a new medication I was taking. The sores were so painful they would wake me up at night. After googling causes for mouth sores, I discovered it was the new whitening Colgate I was using. I switched to Rembrandt’s and the sores disappeared. A week ago, I was in Whole Foods and I picked up Tom’s whitening, thinking Tom’s was safe. Wrong, I just read on this feed that Tom’s was bought by Colgate. So, I got up to go look at the ingredients and sure enough, SLS. I’ll stay with Rembrandts. Thanks to the person that posted that info.
CM
I have been suffering with canker sores since I was 16 years old. I am now 25, and the pain is still terrible. I have been to doctors, dentists, and mouth specialists. All they have done is given me antibiotics and pain medication. Something needs to be done! I have had doctors tell me that it could be food allergies, sodium fluoride or SLS in toothpaste, dust that is in the air, and even animal allergies. I have came to a conclusion, I am on my on with this one. I recently bought the biotene toothpaste and mouth wash and I am hoping and praying that it works.
My mom once told me that it’s bad when you want to help your child, but you just don’t know how. Well, is there anyone out there who can help us? Cause I am tired of going two to three weeks in pain and unable to eat.
RS
Odd you should mention baking soda toothpastes as a culprit since my suggestion was trying a mixture of cinnamon and baking soda (mix to taste) Dip the wet toothbrush in the mixture and brush. The texture takes a few brushings to get used to, but the benefits for me were worth it. Very rarely have I gone 3 weeks without a canker sore returning. It also results in really fresh breath and is a whole lot cheaper than organic toothpastes.
Calvin
I have had canker sores in my mouth through out my life while growing up. I also believe it is from my Crest toothpaste. I read online and have tried the peeled, sliced, and eaten “kiwi” fruit will drastically drop the waiting time for it to go away. It will sting at first since the acid in the kiwi is the killing agent. Leave a slice each time on your sore for a couple minutes then eat each one. It will be gone in 2-3 days vs a couple weeks without the kiwi. But I do plan on switching toothpaste. Thank you…
Anthony
I get a prescription for a solution called Stanford Rinse. It has saved me a lot from suffering and they heal very fast. Google Stanford Rinse. It’s a life saver for me. I still don’t know what causes them for me.
leah
This might sound crazy but every time I brush my teeth or use mouth wash my mouth breaks out with painful canker sores this has been happening for over 6 plus years, I use clean tooth brushes, I can brush my teeth at night and wake up and can feel one is developing, I have been to dentist and everything, and even ended up in the emergency room sounds crazy but I had 7 plus canker sores at one time I was in extreme pain, somebody help me.
Megan
I too have suffered with canker sores for…well, forever! Until…I switched toothpastes. The odd thing is, it wasn’t just toothpastes with sls that cured them.. I tried a few, sensodyne, toms, crest3d white, etc, these all still gave me canker sores immediately after using for a couple days. For whatever reason the Burt’s bees toothpaste and Jason’s toothpaste make it so I rarely get canker sores. I guess there is some other ingredient that is causing mine.
The only thing, I’ve been using Burt’s bees for about a year and my dentist was concerned because she said she saw some areas that she hadn’t ever seen before and asked if I had switched toothpastes.
MF
There are other variations of SLS that can also be found in products like toothpaste, soap, and shampoos and they can also be harmful to you. The following ingredients are variations of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Sodium Diethylene Glycol Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Polyoxyethylene Sulfate, Alkyl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ethoxysulfate, and Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Sulfate. SLS In Toothpaste contains more information on effects of these ingredients.
Anonymous
I use SLS-free toothpaste, but I still get canker sores. The toothpaste doesn’t help at all.
SM
What about Sodium Alkyl Sulfate????
cjd
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.
Dentist Lewisville
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.
ds
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!
JP
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.
pc
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.
pcoleman
Tom’s has both SLS containing and non-SLS. The latter type is noted in the name. (Try on-line drug stores.)
CHL
I have also found toothpaste triggering canker sores, but it seems to be just the ones with added baking soda.
Tracey S.
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!!!
DK
I had canker sores on and off for decades. They stopped when I switched to Rembrant toothpaste.
lgf
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.
dp
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!
Judith M.
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.
AMV
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.
ann
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.