You brush your teeth twice a day — but have you actually read what's in your toothpaste? Most commercial toothpastes contain ingredients that many health-conscious consumers are choosing to move away from. Here's what to look for on the label, why these ingredients raise concern, and what to look for instead.

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

What it does: Creates foam. That's it.

The problem: SLS is a known irritant that can cause canker sores, dry mouth, and tissue sloughing. It strips the protective mucous lining in your mouth. The foam feels satisfying, but it comes at a cost. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that SLS-free toothpaste users experienced significantly fewer canker sore recurrences.

Use instead: Clay-based toothpastes that clean gently without the stripping effect of synthetic surfactants. Learn more: SLS Free Toothpaste: Why It Doesn't Belong in Your Mouth.

2. Triclosan

What it does: Acts as a synthetic chemical additive found in some oral care and household products.

The problem: Linked to hormone disruption, antibiotic resistance, and environmental damage. The FDA banned it from hand soaps in 2016, but it still appears in some oral care products. A 2017 study in Science Translational Medicine found triclosan promoted intestinal visible redness and discomfort and tumor growth in mice.

Use instead: Colloidal silver — a traditional ingredient with centuries of use in oral care. It leaves the mouth feeling clean and fresh without the synthetic chemical profile of additives like triclosan. See more: Colloidal Silver in Toothpaste: What the Research Says.

3. Artificial Sweeteners (Saccharin, Aspartame)

What it does: Makes toothpaste taste sweet.

The problem: Synthetic sweeteners offer no oral care benefit. A 2014 Nature study found that artificial sweeteners altered the gut microbiome and glucose metabolism in both mice and humans.

Use instead: Xylitol — a natural sweetener derived from birch trees with a long history of use in oral care formulations. It tastes pleasant, rinses clean, and has been part of daily oral hygiene routines for decades. Read our full guide: Xylitol Toothpaste Benefits.

4. Artificial Colors (Blue 1, Yellow 5)

What it does: Makes toothpaste look pretty.

The problem: Petroleum-derived dyes linked to allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children. The European Food Safety Authority has imposed stricter regulations on these dyes, and several countries have banned them outright. Your toothpaste doesn't need to be neon blue.

Use instead: Nothing. Natural toothpaste gets its color from actual ingredients — clays, botanical extracts, and minerals.

5. Diethanolamine (DEA)

What it does: Another foaming agent.

The problem: DEA can react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines, which are potential carcinogens. It's already restricted in cosmetics in the EU and Canada. The California EPA lists DEA as a possible human carcinogen.

Use instead: Coconut oil — a traditional botanical ingredient with a long history in oral care formulations, providing a clean, comfortable rinse without synthetic foaming agents.

6. Propylene Glycol

What it does: Keeps toothpaste from drying out.

The problem: This is industrial antifreeze. While the FDA considers it "generally recognized as safe" in small amounts, it's a skin and eye irritant, and there's growing concern about cumulative exposure across multiple daily products (toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, food).

Use instead: Plant-based glycerin and aloe vera — natural humectants that keep formulas moist and comfortable without industrial chemicals.

7. Microbeads (Polyethylene)

What it does: Abrasive scrubbing particles.

The problem: Plastic microbeads are environmental pollutants that end up in waterways and oceans. They can also get trapped under your gumline, creating pockets for debris to accumulate. The U.S. banned microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics in 2015, but they still appear in some products.

Use instead: Bentonite clay and kaolin clay — natural minerals that provide gentle cleaning through adsorption rather than abrasion. Check our guide to low abrasion toothpaste to understand why RDA matters.

8. Fluoride (Controversial but Worth Discussing)

What it does: A mineral additive used in conventional toothpaste for decades.

The debate: Fluoride is the standard in conventional toothpaste, but many health-conscious consumers are now looking for fluoride-free alternatives — particularly for children and anyone concerned about ingestion from multiple daily sources (water, food, dental treatments, toothpaste). Fluoride-free formulations built on different mineral foundations have become a mainstream choice in many parts of the world.

Use instead: Micro-hydroxyapatite — a mineral constituent of tooth enamel that has been the standard in Japanese dental care for decades and has a long tradition of use in fluoride-free formulations worldwide. For a detailed look at how the two approaches compare, see: Hydroxyapatite vs Fluoride: Which Is Better for Your Teeth?

9. Carrageenan

What it does: Thickening agent derived from seaweed.

The problem: Degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) has been linked to gastrointestinal visible redness and discomfort in animal studies. While food-grade carrageenan is different, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies degraded carrageenan as a possible carcinogen. Why take the chance when safer alternatives exist?

Use instead: Natural thickeners like xanthan gum or cellulose from plant sources — or clay-based formulas that don't need synthetic thickeners at all.

10. Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben)

What it does: Preservatives to extend shelf life.

The problem: Parabens mimic estrogen in the body and have been detected in breast tumor tissue. The EU has restricted the use of certain parabens in cosmetics, and Denmark has banned them in products for children under 3.

Use instead: Essential oils with a long history in traditional oral care (like neem and tea tree), theobromine from cacao, and thoughtful formulation techniques that keep products stable without synthetic preservatives.

What Living Crystal Uses Instead

Our Living Crystal Toothpaste contains none of these ingredients. Instead, it's built on 19 botanical extracts, micro-hydroxyapatite, colloidal silver, xylitol, coconut oil, and two types of clay — a clean, intentionally formulated alternative to conventional toothpaste.

Every ingredient is chosen for a purpose. No fillers, no foam for foam's sake, no artificial anything. Just clean, fresh-feeling oral care from ingredients you can actually pronounce.

Want to go deeper on these natural ingredients? Explore our ingredient guides:

• Hydroxyapatite vs Fluoride — a detailed comparison
• Colloidal Silver in Toothpaste — a traditional botanical ingredient
• Xylitol Toothpaste Benefits — the natural sweetener with an oral care history
• Bentonite Clay Toothpaste — the gentle mineral cleanser
• Coconut Oil in Toothpaste — a traditional botanical ingredient
• Theobromine in Toothpaste — what cacao extract brings to oral care
• Neem in Oral Care — an ancient botanical tradition
• Fluoride Free Toothpaste Guide — what to look for

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these ingredients actually dangerous?

Most of these ingredients are considered "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA at low concentrations. The concern isn't usually a single exposure — it's cumulative. You use toothpaste twice daily for your entire life. That adds up. When gentler, cleaner alternatives exist, there's little reason to accept unnecessary chemical exposure.

Is fluoride really bad for you?

Fluoride has been standard in conventional toothpaste for decades. The growing interest in fluoride-free alternatives centers primarily on ingestion risk — especially for children who may swallow toothpaste — and the availability of formulas built on different mineral foundations. Hydroxyapatite-based formulas have been widely used in Japan for decades and represent a well-established fluoride-free approach to daily oral care.

How do I know if my current toothpaste contains these ingredients?

Flip the tube over and read the inactive ingredients list. SLS is often listed as "sodium lauryl sulfate" or "sodium laureth sulfate." Parabens appear as "methylparaben" or "propylparaben." Artificial sweeteners show up as "saccharin" or "sodium saccharin." If you see any of these, you have options.

What should I look for in a clean toothpaste?

Look for micro-hydroxyapatite, xylitol, natural clays, colloidal silver, and botanical extracts with a long history in oral care. Avoid SLS, triclosan, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, parabens, and microbeads. See our full guide: What to Look For in a Cleaner Formula.

Is natural toothpaste as effective as conventional toothpaste?

The right formulation makes all the difference. Look for a natural toothpaste built on meaningful concentrations of well-chosen ingredients — not one that simply removes the questionable ones and leaves nothing functional behind. Our Living Crystal has an RDA of just 35 — ultra-low abrasion paired with a comprehensive botanical formula.

Explore our full Oral Care collection — toothpaste, mouthwash, and oil pulling formulas made with ingredients you can trust.