Here’s cause for celebration:  Tom’s of Maine has launched a new line of SLS-free toothpastes.  They are made of simple, straightforward ingredients.  No detergents.  www.tomsofmaine.com

More cause for celebration: some have fluoride.  These may very well be the only non-detergent (and no-sorbitol) toothpastes with fluoride out there.  (For people who don’t want fluoride, there are no-fluoride options, too.)

I have only one reservation – and only because I don’t know enough yet, not because there is a problem.  The pastes in this line all contain a foaming agent called glycerrhizin, which I have not been able to adequately check out.  It appears to have an impact on membrane permeability, but I cannot figure out whether it might have a positive effect here, a negative effect, or perhaps may not be of concern.  From the things I’ve read so far, there may be no straightforward answer for us short of just trying it out.

Bottom line – spot test it first before using, and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.  We did a spot test, and so far so good.  Yay!  

I am thrilled to see a prominent natural product company like Tom’s of Maine offer such an extensive line of detergent-free toothpastes!