October 27, 2021

The Scary Truth About Common Toothpaste Ingredients

Halloween is coming up, and sugary candy isn’t the only risk your teeth are facing.

Our founder Dr. Flora Stay DDS appeared on FOX 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri to warn against some scary toothpaste ingredients and oral care trends that can be doing a lot more harm than good for your mouth.

Two common trends that are all over TikTok and other social media apps are using activated charcoal toothpaste and/or hydrogen peroxide rinses to help whiten the teeth, but Dr. Stay points out that there is currently a lawsuit against a major toothpaste brand in regards to their unsubstantiated marketing claims surrounding activated charcoal in their toothpaste, and the damage it can cause to the teeth and gums.

Hydrogen peroxide rinses, she says, may be prescribed by dentists to help treat a specific oral condition called Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG), but only for 2-3 days. It is far too abrasive for daily use and should not be used as a whitening method, as it can cause “sloughing of your tissue” in the mouth.

“Sodium lauryl sulfate is another one that can actually exacerbate canker sores,” says Dr. Stay, and it is one of the most common ingredients found in toothpastes on the market, as well as mint which is on dermatologists’ lists of ingredients that can cause perioral dermatitis.

The safest alternative is to use a trusted sulfate and mint free toothpaste without any fad ingredients like charcoal.