YSK that SLS, an ingredient added to most commercial toothpastes, causes canker sores
I learned about this many years ago and the difference after I started using only SLS-free toothpaste was night and day. I used to get canker sores any time I would bite the inside of my cheek, hit my gums with the hard parts of my toothbrush, etc., and this completely stopped a while after I switched to SLS-free.
SLS is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, by the way, and it's a detergent. From what I understand, the only reason why it's added to toothpaste is to make more foam when you brush. But the SLS-free toothpaste I use makes plenty of foam, so I have no idea why they add it. It's one of those things about the modern world that makes absolutely no sense. The ads and packaging should say in big letters: "now with even more canker sores!"
Unfortunately, the vast majority of toothpastes on the market (at least in the US) have SLS. I can only seem to find SLS-free toothpaste in natural food/supplement stores. It's extra difficult to find toothpastes that are SLS-free but that keep fluoride too. The difficulty (and price? I haven't compared) is completely worth it to me though.
TL;DR: The SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) in most toothpastes is unnecessary and causes canker sores (painful sores in your mouth and gums). If you have this problem, you will likely benefit from SLS-free toothpaste (some still include fluoride) that you can usually find at natural food stores.
Also make sure you choose a toothpaste that has stannous fluoride and not sodium fluoride. It's much more effective
Also stains your teeth.
Apparently that hasn't been a thing since 2006 https://now.tufts.edu/2013/03/20/other-fluoride-benefits-stannous-fluoride
Interesting. The back of a tube of sensodyne in my medicine cabinet right now says that stannous fluoride may stain teeth. Hard to understand why a 2013 article would contradict a 2023 toothpaste warning.
My sensodyne toothpaste also says that but then right below there it says "this product is specially formulated to help prevent staining" so 🤷