Many toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS to create a foam when you brush your teeth. While it spreads the toothpaste and cleans your teeth, it isn’t ideal if you’re prone to mouth ulcers or have sensitive teeth.
SLS is a potentially harmful ingredient that can:
- Dry and irritate your mouth
- Increase your tooth sensitivity
- Trigger or worsen your canker sores
- Reduce the remineralizing benefits of fluoride
At NewMouth, we want you to get the most out of your daily brushing while keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. So we rounded up the best SLS-free toothpastes that don’t have sodium lauryl sulfate.
Everything We Recommend
- Best Fluoride: Verve Ultra SLS-Free Toothpaste
- Best Fluoride-Free: Boka Toothpaste
- Best for Kids: Hello Kids Fluoride Toothpaste
- Best for Sensitivity: Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair
- Best Whitening: Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste
- Best Stain-Removing: Hello Epic Whitening Toothpaste
Our in-house dental experts evaluated SLS-free toothpastes based on three important factors so we can tailor our recommendations to your needs:
- Ingredients — Making sure they work and are safe for you
- Results — What they can do for your smile
- User reviews — We looked for consistent positive feedback
6 Best SLS-Free Toothpastes of 2024
Here are the best toothpastes that don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate:
Verve Ultra SLS-Free Fluoride Toothpaste
Best Fluoride
Verve Ultra has a unique, non-irritating formula that strengthens teeth and keeps your smile bright and healthy while giving you the same foamy experience as regular toothpaste.
It combines fluoride with stain-removing hydrated silica and vitamin E for good oral health. The toothpaste also uses a natural surfactant (sodium methyl cocoyl taurate) derived from coconut to create a foam.
Key Features
- Contains fluoride
- Made in the U.S.
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Not tested on animals
- Flavor: Soothing Fresh Mint
Things We Like
- Prevents canker sores and promotes healing
- Provides gentle yet effective cleaning
- Has a pleasant and enjoyable taste
Things We Don’t Like
- Produces minimal foam
- Cleaning isn’t enough for some
Boka Natural Toothpaste
Best Fluoride-Free
Boka offers a non-fluoride alternative for those who prefer clean ingredients. It contains nanohydroxyapatite (nHa) and baking soda to harden and whiten teeth without sensitivity.
Xylitol and other natural ingredients add flavor without attracting cavity-causing bacteria. Since it doesn’t have harsh chemicals, Boka Toothpaste won’t irritate your gums or the insides of your mouth.
Key Features
- Fluoride-free
- Contains nano-hydroxyapatite
- Vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free
- No harsh and artificial ingredients
- Flavors: Ela Mint, Coco Ginger, Lemon Lavender, and Cinna Mint
Things We Like
- Relieves tooth sensitivity
- Effectively whitens teeth
- Leaves a clean and fresh feeling
Things We Don’t Like
- Not everyone likes its flavors
- The screw-style lid isn’t convenient
- Can be difficult to find in stores
Hello Kids Toothpaste
Best for Kids
Hello Toothpaste comes in various fun flavors and colorful packaging that would make any kid want to brush. Parents love it too—since it only uses safe and natural ingredients like xylitol and stevia for flavor or sodium cocoyl glutamate to create a foam.
You can choose from fluoride-containing or fluoride-free toothpastes, whichever is recommended by your child’s dentist. Hello’s fluoride toothpastes are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Key Features
- May or may not contain fluoride
- Made in the U.S.
- Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
- No parabens, sulfates, triclosan, or microbeads
- Flavors: Bubblegum, Raspberry, Wild Strawberry, Fresh Watermelon
Things We Like
- Many parents recommend it for children
- Gentle on kids’ teeth and gums
- Most kids love its flavors
Things We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t foam as much as regular toothpaste
- Difficult to find in local stores
Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair
Best for Sensitive Teeth
Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair goes beyond cleaning by actively remineralizing teeth and relieving tooth sensitivity with every brush. Its specialized formula is designed to strengthen weakened enamel, repair early damage, and prevent cavities. With continued use, this SLS-free toothpaste can make teeth less reactive to heat and cold.
Key Features
- Contains fluoride
- Flavors: Extra Fresh and Mint
Things We Like
- Makes your teeth feel stronger and less sensitive
- Users report being able to enjoy cold foods and drinks
- Leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh for hours
Things We Don’t Like
- Some people find its mint flavor overpowering
Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste
Best Teeth Whitening
Burt’s Bees Purely White uses a natural, fluoride-free formula to clean and lighten teeth. It doesn’t contain triclosan, parabens, or artificial ingredients, making it a safer choice than most brands.
We especially love the addition of essential oils in the blend. It leaves your breath smelling fresh and can make you feel confident about your smile.
Key Features
- Doesn’t contain fluoride
- Made in the U.S.
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
- No parabens, sulfates, triclosan, or microbeads
- Flavor: Zen Peppermint
Things We Like
- Gradually whitens teeth at an affordable price
- Won’t hurt your gums or teeth
- Freshens your breath
Things We Don’t Like
- May not give you dramatic teeth whitening
- Has a gritty texture that some may not like
Hello Epic Whitening Toothpaste
Best Stain-Removing
Like the kids’ toothpaste, Hello Epic Whitening produces foam with sodium cocoyl glutamate instead of SLS. However, it can do more than clean your teeth.
Ingredients like activated charcoal and coconut oil remove plaque and teeth stains, gently whitening teeth. Natural flavors and sweeteners such as xylitol and tea tree oil give it a pleasant flavor.
Key Features
- Fluoride-free
- Made in the U.S.
- Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes
- No parabens, preservatives, or titanium dioxide
- Flavor: Mint
Things We Like
- Noticeably whitens teeth after a few weeks
- Has a nice flavor that keeps your breath fresh
- More affordable than other whitening toothpastes
Things We Don’t Like
- Some users find it too abrasive
- The toothpaste leaves a black mess
- Tastes different from regular toothpaste
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Tips for Choosing the Best SLS-Free Toothpastes
Toothpastes without sodium lauryl sulfate can be just as effective as regular toothpaste at cleaning your teeth. They can also offer benefits like teeth whitening if you know what ingredients to look for and avoid:
Foaming Agents
If you don’t want sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in your toothpaste, you should also stay away from other synthetic ingredients that can irritate you, like:
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
- Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)
Instead, pick toothpastes containing natural surfactants such as sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, coco-glucoside, and decyl glucoside.
Remineralizing Minerals
You need to decide if you want fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) and many dentists recommend fluoride.
However, fluoride-free toothpastes with hydroxyapatite are also great options. They can lift teeth stains, whiten your smile, and keep your mouth healthy.
Other Ingredients
Watch out for other ingredients and see what they can do for your smile.
For example, abrasives like baking soda, hydrated silica, and activated charcoal can help remove plaque and surface stains. When used regularly, toothpastes containing them can lighten teeth.
Natural sweeteners like xylitol prevent cavity-causing bacteria from thriving, while essential oils add flavor without the use of artificial ingredients.
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