For a long time, toothpaste has lived in a strange category.
Not quite skincare.
Not quite healthcare.
More like hygiene - something functional, unquestioned, and unchanged for decades.
But the mouth isn’t a hard surface. It’s living tissue.
And what we use there twice a day, every day, deserves a closer look.
This article isn’t about fear or demonising ingredients. It’s about understanding why certain ingredients ended up in toothpaste, what they do, and why many modern formulations are now choosing to leave them behind.
A legacy of “antibacterial, foaming, fresh”
Many conventional toothpaste formulas were developed during a time when oral care followed one core principle:
Kill bacteria. Foam aggressively. Signal freshness.
That thinking shaped ingredient choices - often prioritising shelf life, cost, and sensory impact over long-term biological balance.
Three ingredients in particular reflect this legacy: triclosan, synthetic dyes, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Triclosan: when stronger wasn’t better
Why it was used
Triclosan is a synthetic antibacterial agent originally developed for clinical settings. In toothpaste, it was added to:
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Reduce plaque
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Decrease gum inflammation
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Deliver broad-spectrum antibacterial action
From a manufacturing standpoint, it was effective, stable, and inexpensive.
What we know now
As research evolved, triclosan raised concerns because it is non-selective - meaning it reduces beneficial bacteria alongside harmful ones. This matters because the oral microbiome plays a role in inflammation control, immune signalling, and overall oral balance.
Beyond the mouth, triclosan has been studied for:
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Potential endocrine (hormone) disruption
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Links to antibiotic resistance
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Environmental persistence and bioaccumulation
As a result, triclosan has been removed or restricted in many skincare and personal care products. Toothpaste, however, has often been treated as a regulatory exception - which is why it can still appear there.
The modern perspective
Today’s oral health conversation is shifting away from “kill everything” toward supporting balance. Many brands now question whether such a strong antimicrobial is appropriate for lifelong, twice-daily use.
Synthetic dyes: colour without purpose
Why they were added
Red and blue dyes in toothpaste exist for one reason only: appearance.
They helped toothpaste:
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Look “clinical” or “powerful”
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Signal flavour or freshness
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Stand out on shelves
They offer no oral health benefit.
Why they’re questioned
Synthetic dyes are petroleum-derived ingredients that:
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Do not improve enamel or gum health
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May cause irritation or sensitivity in some individuals
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Add unnecessary exposure in a product used daily
In skincare and food, many consumers now actively avoid artificial colourants unless they serve a clear function. Oral care is simply catching up to that thinking.
The modern perspective
If an ingredient does nothing for health, many modern formulations ask a simple question:
Why include it at all?
Clear or naturally coloured toothpaste reflects a broader shift toward ingredient discipline and transparency.
SLS: foam over function
What SLS does
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent and detergent. It helps toothpaste:
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Foam dramatically
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Spread easily
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Feel “powerfully clean”
Foam, however, is a sensory cue - not a measure of effectiveness.
Why it’s debated
SLS is one of the most widely discussed toothpaste ingredients because it’s associated with:
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Oral irritation
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Dry mouth
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Increased risk of mouth ulcers in susceptible individuals
It can also disrupt the oral environment by stripping protective proteins and affecting beneficial bacteria.
Importantly, SLS does not:
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Prevent cavities
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Strengthen enamel
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Improve gum health
Its role is experiential, not therapeutic.
The modern perspective
Many people now choose low-foam or SLS-free toothpaste for comfort, tolerance, and long-term oral balance - without compromising effectiveness.
The bigger shift: oral care as wellness, not hygiene
Triclosan, dyes, and SLS all come from the same era of thinking - when oral care was designed to feel strong, loud, and clinical.
Today’s understanding is more nuanced.
We now recognise that:
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The mouth is highly absorbent
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Daily exposure compounds over time
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Balance matters more than sterility
Oral care is not just about clean teeth.
It’s part of whole-body health.
What to look for instead
Modern oral care formulations increasingly focus on:
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Gentle, non-irritating surfactants
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Ingredients that support enamel and gums without disrupting balance
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Transparency around what’s included - and what’s intentionally left out
Awareness is the first step. Better daily rituals follow.
Discover a more considered natural toothpaste ritual with Laro.