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If you have ever had juice after brushing your teeth, then you are familiar with the awful taste that is often left in your mouth. For most people, that taste is quite nauseating. This begs the question, why does food taste awful after brushing your teeth?
Sodium Laureth sulphate (SLS), a synthetic detergent found in toothpaste, is the culprit. SLS, also known as Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), is a surfactant that lowers the surface tension of toothpaste and enhances the formation of foam. The compound also makes it easier to spread the paste across the teeth.
Aside from toothpaste, SLS is used in other household products like paints, detergents, fabric softeners, surfboard waxes and insecticides. It serves a similar function in all these products.
Although SLS enhances the function of toothpaste, that's not the only effect it has. The compound also affects taste buds. This explains the unusual aftertaste left after brushing your teeth. Since the tongue hosts the largest proportion of taste buds, the effect of SLS is felt mainly on its surface.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate suppresses the ability of taste buds to pick out sweet tastes. As a result, sweet food and drinks give off a bland taste. On the other hand, the compound breaks down phospholipids on the tongue and enhances the perception of bitter tastes on the taste buds. Consequently, everything you eat or drink has less sweetness and heightened bitterness. That's a torturous combination.
Aside from taste, SLS has other side effects. For example, the compound can trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals. The reaction can range from a mild to severe attack. Therefore, if you have a Sulphur allergy, it's prudent to take precautions while using toothpaste.
SLS is also known to alter the texture of the tongue surface and give a strange feeling. If you have a canker sore, you will loathe any toothpaste with SLS. The compound irritates the sores. As a result, you have to choose between maintaining good oral hygiene or nursing your sores. The latter is often the popular choice.
However, neglecting your oral hygiene can cause detrimental effects to your teeth, and you may have to get fillings or dental implants oakbrook terrace.
Luckily, SLS is not a necessary compound. SLS-free toothpaste is quite popular and offers an excellent solution for users with allergies, sores and alternative preferences.
SLS free toothpaste
You might be wondering, how does foamless toothpaste work? A common misconception is that toothpaste needs foam to be effective. Most people believe more foam equals more effect. Surprisingly, SLS doesn't significantly enhance the overall function of toothpaste. You can yield similar results with SLS free toothpaste.
SLS free toothpaste uses naturally derived ingredients from coconut, corn oil and palm oil. They include; sodium cocoyl glutamate, lauryl glucoside and Cocamidopropyl betaine. Although the names are complex, the effect is quite simple; they enhance the dispersion of toothpaste within the oral cavity. The ingredients are also hypoallergenic and have a great feel on the tongue.
SLS free toothpaste is quite popular. Despite the different brands on the market with varying ingredients and flavours, the elemental composition is similar.
Since the lack of SLS is the selling point, brands make it obvious. You only need to look at the package to identify the toothpaste.
The price difference between SLS free toothpaste and the standard toothpaste is also minimal.
You no longer need to endure the awful taste of food after brushing or go through the torment of using toothpaste on your canker sore. Instead, simply get an SLS free toothpaste and start enjoying the benefits of a good toothpaste with no side effects.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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