Bb. Herlofson et P. Barkvoll, ORAL MUCOSAL DESQUAMATION CAUSED BY 2 TOOTHPASTE DETERGENTS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL, European journal of oral sciences, 104(1), 1996, pp. 21-26
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.