A recent study found that the commonly used chemical detergent Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), used in most toothpastes and mouth washes, contributes to the frequent occurrence of mouth ulcers according to Norwegian researchers.
BY Amy Anderson 4 July, 2007
The study, carried out at the Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway, consisted of three 6-week periods during which the patients brushed twice daily with the different test toothpastes. A significantly higher frequency of aphthous (mouth) ulcers was demonstrated when the patients brushed with a Sodium Lauryl Sulphate over a 3-month period - than with a detergent-free placebo paste. The researchers concluded that SLS was a contributing factor in the frequency and intensity of mouth ulcer outbreaks.
