Gentle toothpaste: reading SLS, flavor and kids' age labels

Please ask your dentist

If your mouth is sensitive, or you are choosing for a child, talk to your dentist or the child's dentist. This page does not say whether any toothpaste works, and it makes no claims about teeth or gums. It only explains how to read labels. If you have mouth pain, bleeding gums or other oral concerns, please see a dentist.

Reading the ingredient list

• SLS: sodium lauryl sulfate is a common foaming agent in toothpaste. SLS-free means the product does not list it. Some people choose SLS-free products by preference, and we do not claim a benefit.
• Flavor: the label may name the flavor. Many people look for milder or flavor-free options. Mild is not a defined term, so it can mean different things for different brands.
• Sweeteners and dyes: listed in the inactive ingredients. Check them if you are sensitive to anything.
• Abrasives and whitening: toothpastes differ. If you have questions about abrasiveness, ask your dentist.

Reading the Drug Facts panel

• In the United States, toothpaste with fluoride, and toothpaste sold for sensitive teeth, is regulated as an over-the-counter drug, so the label has a Drug Facts panel.
• The panel lists active ingredients, uses, directions, warnings and inactive ingredients.
• For products sold for sensitive teeth, read the active ingredient and the directions. We do not say what a product does, and your dentist can explain what is right for you.
• Read the warnings, including those about swallowing the product and when to contact a poison control center.

Kids' toothpaste: reading the age directions

• Check the age range and the directions for how much to use. Labels commonly give different directions by age.
• Children's products often come in milder flavors. Check the ingredient list.
• Children usually need an adult to help or watch. Ask the child's dentist how to supervise and how much to use.
• Keep toothpaste out of the reach of young children, and follow the label's directions if a child swallows more than directed.

Our angle: read in this order

Toothpaste labels pack a lot into a small space. A simple order helps. First, check whether there is a Drug Facts panel. If there is, read the active ingredient, directions and warnings. Second, check the age directions. Third, read the inactive ingredients for anything you are sensitive to, such as SLS, flavor or dyes. Fourth, compare prices. Divide the price by the ounces to get the price per ounce, then note how many weeks a tube lasts for you. Last, check whether the product carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, a program run by the American Dental Association. Check its website for what it covers.

1. Look for a Drug Facts panel, and read it.
2. Check the age directions.
3. Read the inactive ingredients.
4. Compare the price per ounce and how long a tube lasts.