ORAL MUCOSAL DESQUAMATION CAUSED BY 2 TOOTHPASTE DETERGENTS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the most widely used detergent in toothpa stes, has been reported to cause adverse effects on oral soft tissues. This double-blind cross-over study describes the oral mucosal effects of SLS-containing toothpastes and pastes containing a zwitterionic de tergent, cocoamidopropyl-betaine (CAPB) in an experimental model in 28 healthy females. Seven toothpastes, differing only in detergent conce ntration and/or type, were used: SLS (0.5, 1.0, 1.5%), CAPB (0.64, 1.2 7, 1.90%) and a placebo. Each participant applied 1 cm of assigned tes t toothpaste via a cap splint to the teeth and the mucosa of the upper jaw. The splints were used twice daily for 2 min during a period of 4 d, after which the participants were examined for oral desquamation. No other oral hygiene was allowed during the test periods. Ten days br ushing with a detergent-free toothpaste was performed between each tes t period. Forty-five desquamative reactions were observed in 21 of 27 subjects (one was excluded) during the trial. Forty-two reactions were recorded during the SLS periods and the remaining three during the CA PB periods. The detergent-free toothpaste did not result in oral desqu amation. SLS in toothpastes significantly increased the incidence of d esquamation of the oral mucosa compared with toothpastes containing th e detergent CAPB. The model used is not directly relevant to normal to othbrushing with toothpaste, but indicates that sensitive patients may contract mucosal irritation through SLS in toothpastes. Less toxic de tergents, e.g. CAPB, are desirable in oral hygiene products.