The effectiveness of dentifrices without and with sodium lauryl sulfate on plaque, gingivitis and gingival abrasion—a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a dentifrice without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) to a dentifrice with SLS in young adults aged 18–34 years on gingivitis.Material and methodsOne hundred twenty participants (non-dental students) with a moderate gingival inflammation (bleeding on probing at 40–70 % of test sites) were included in this randomized controlled double blind clinical trial. According to randomization, participants had to brush their teeth either with dentifrice without SLS or with SLS for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was bleeding on marginal probing (BOMP). The secondary outcomes were plaque scores and gingival abrasion scores (GA) as well as a visual analogue scale (VAS) score at exit survey. Baseline and end differences were analysed by univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test, between group differences by independent t test and within groups by paired sample t test.ResultsBOMP improved within groups from on average 0.80 at baseline to 0.60 in the group without SLS and to 0.56 in the group with SLS. No statistical difference for BOMP, plaque and gingival abrasion was found between both groups. VAS scores for taste, freshness and foaming effect were significantly in favour of the SLS-containing dentifrice.ConclusionThe test dentifrice without SLS was as effective as a regular SLS dentifrice on gingival bleeding scores and plaque scores. There was no significant difference in the incidence of gingival abrasion.Clinical relevanceIn patients diagnosed with gingivitis, a dentifrice without SLS seems to be equally effective compared to a dentifrice with SLS and did not demonstrate any significant difference in gingival abrasion. In patient with recurrent aphthous ulcers, the absence of SLS may even be beneficial. However, participants indicate that they appreciate the foaming effect of a dentifrice with SLS more.

The effectiveness of a dentifrice without sodium lauryl sulphate on dental plaque and gingivitis – a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…The present investigation intended to further appraise the effectiveness of SLS, by comparing two marketed SLS‐containing dentifrices to the SLS‐free product. The magnitude of the outcomes of the present study is in line with previous results and also demonstrate that there is no significant difference for dental plaque and gingivitis scores among SLS‐free and SLS‐containing dentifrice products.…”

“…However, SLS‐containing dentifrices were significantly more appreciated with respect to the foaming effect, and duration of taste. This corresponds to the findings of a previous study .…”

“…In a recent study, the effectiveness of a SLS‐containing dentifrice, compared to a SLS‐free dentifrice, was evaluated in a protocol similar to the current study . The present investigation intended to further appraise the effectiveness of SLS, by comparing two marketed SLS‐containing dentifrices to the SLS‐free product.…”

“…The benefits and risks of SLS‐containing products are widely discussed in the literature . SLS has been propagated to improve the cleaning action .…”

“…A sample size of 90 participants (30 experimental subjects and two groups of 30 control subjects) was calculated ‘a priori’ in such a way that with an alpha of 0.05, a true difference in the experimental and control means of 0.15 of the gingivitis score (BOMP) can be identified with 82% power, based on a pooled SD of 0.23 derived from a previous study .…”