Toothpaste is meant for your teeth. That’s a given whenever you are to brush your teeth. Its ingredients help whiten your teeth and maintain your oral hygiene.

But we know that, for most of us, we tend to be meticulous in caring or cleaning our teeth. There may be interesting activities online that may lead us to experiment with brushing our teeth.

In this article, we will share a recent trend going online about a common ingredient in toothpaste and shampoos. And, what can be interesting as it may be, but maybe misleading to some.

It’s the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in Shampoo and Toothpaste

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a substance that helps create foam by lowering the surface tension of liquids. Sodium lauryl sulfate is used in shampoos and detergents. And it is the same ingredient found in toothpaste. In chemical compound terms, it is what they call a surfactant. But, there is a difference in how it is on shampoo and toothpaste. 

In shampoo, it captures the dirt and oil sitting on your scalp and along your hair shafts. In this way, it will be easier to have it rinsed away. Whereas in toothpaste, the SLS can help to evenly spread out the ingredients of your toothpaste. Like in shampoos, this allows you to easily rinse away plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth.

Since SLS creates a foaming effect, it doesn’t mean that it helps in cleaning or removing the plaques. It isn’t needed to clean your teeth. Some toothpaste manufacturers opted out of using SLS and switched to non-foaming surfactants. And that will be fine since the kinds of toothpaste need to have their main fluoride ingredient.

So, the deal here is that it may be the same substance that can be found on both toothpaste and shampoo. But, that doesn’t mean that you can use your toothpaste on your hair. And thus, your shampoo to your teeth. This is why this makes it seem like sodium lauryl sulfate can mislead some people. Rest assured that this additive is safe for you to use – but according to its respective primary purposes.

Fluoride Toothpaste Is Best Used For Your Teeth

Fluoride is an essential ingredient of any toothpaste. And by that alone, this is also great for your oral health. It makes your teeth stronger. This compound helps in strengthening your teeth. This helps in making more calcium and phosphate minerals which are redeposited to your tooth enamel. The early signs of tooth decay are due to the acids produced by bacteria affecting the quality of your teeth. Hence, using fluoride-based toothpaste can help reverse it. And, it is for this reason that fluoride prevents cavities from forming on your teeth.

Fluoride is a natural compound that occurs in your teeth. Because of this, there were also concerns over adding up fluoride as an ingredient in toothpaste. There were also references that fluoride intake from toothpaste may cause cancer. But, it’s better to check the correct information online. You may also wish to seek advice from your dentist for ADA-approved toothpaste that you can buy.

Again, toothpaste is for your teeth; and choose the right toothpaste that works for you. For all countries, the Food and Drug Administration standard has deemed sodium lauryl sulfate safe for use in toothpaste, too. Sodium lauryl sulfate is just a common ingredient in both toothpaste and shampoos.

Use fluoride toothpaste at least twice each day. That is every morning after your breakfast meals. And practice every night right before going to bed. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three months. 

What Kinds of Toothpaste To Use

The first thing you need to keep in mind is what’s the best toothpaste that can do best for you. The kinds of toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate have been thoroughly tested for safety. Having SLS on toothpaste is safe for everyday use. Also, there are many choices of toothpaste in the market, and it may be based on your preference. 

Some toothpaste contains ingredients that help fight tartar buildup. Other brands offer toothpaste that helps reduce sensitivity. While for others, people choose the kinds of toothpaste that essentially whiten their teeth or freshen their breath. 

So, make sure that you pick a fluoride-based toothpaste, and you can’t go wrong with it. If you’re looking for special benefits, there are plenty of options, such as toothpaste with:

● Antimicrobial or antibacterial

● Tartar control

● Enamel protection

● Sensitivity relief

● Whitening

Those are some of the common types of toothpaste that you can choose from. Check also that your toothpaste contains an ADA seal of acceptance (look for this on the package).

Do know that you need not have the most expensive toothpaste according to your preference. Any fluoride-based toothpaste and ADA-approved brands will suffice to keep your teeth healthy. Moreover, you can seek advice from your preferred dentist so you can find the right toothpaste.

So, can you use shampoo to brush your teeth instead of toothpaste?

Toothpaste is formulated to clean your teeth and keep them looking as white as possible. Toothpaste also includes fluoride, which helps prevent cavities.

So it is best recommended to use toothpaste, instead of using shampoo to brush your teeth. You might not know, but shampoo chemicals may be harsh and may not benefit your teeth or gums.

Dental hygiene is important to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. At ES Toothbrush, we provide many dental care options that will suit your preference. 

Our dental care products range from toothbrushes to interdental floss, and oral mouthwash. And of course, you need to choose the right toothpaste to keep and maintain your teeth of good quality. And with that said, we offer herbal fluoride-content toothpaste. These products will help you maintain good oral health. Visit our products page to view more dental care products today.