Fact Check: Viral Post claiming toothpaste causes cancer is fake; Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) Is Not Carcinogenic, Say Experts

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A post widely circulated on social media alleges that toothpaste containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) causes cancer as SLS is carcinogenic. Upon investigation, Vishvas News determined the claim to be false and one of the most egregious claims by far. 

Claim

A viral post on social media claims: “Toothpaste containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) causes cancer as SLS is carcinogenic”. The archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is a widely used surfactant and foaming agent in various personal care products, including toothpaste. Its primary role is to enhance cleaning and foaming properties, facilitating the even distribution of the product in the mouth.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of SLS in cosmetics and personal care products. Contrary to the viral claim, the FDA does require warning labels on fluoride toothpaste, shipped since April 7, 1998, cautioning against excessive ingestion due to health risks. However, the risk is related to potential indigestion, not cancer.

Multiple authoritative bodies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have consistently classified SLS as non-carcinogenic.

Importantly, there is no established relationship between toothpaste and the development of oral cancer.

The origin of this claim remains uncertain but likely stems from misinterpretations of scientific literature. No scientific evidence supports the assertion that SLS is a carcinogen.

SLS is not listed as a carcinogen by several reputable organisations, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); US National Toxicology Program, California Proposition 65 list of carcinogens, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the European Union (EU). 

Dr Shreya Bhattacharya, Consultant, Onco Surgery at Narayana Hospital, Howrah, emphasises the importance of distinguishing between sensational claims and scientific reality. Rigorous research, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, consistently refutes the idea that SLS in toothpaste causes cancer in humans. Regulatory agencies worldwide, such as the FDA and the European Commission, have deemed SLS safe for use in oral care products at regulated concentrations. Patients are urged to prioritise oral health by adhering to good hygiene practices, including regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste recommended by dental professionals.

Dr Anuranjana Virmani, BDS, Fellow PFA (Pierre Fauchard Academy) USA, American Dentistry International, underscores that SLS, despite being labelled as harmful and carcinogenic without scientific support, serves as an effective antibacterial and antiviral component in toothpaste. In its use in oral care, it’s being used only for 2 minutes twice a day in a mild percentage. Importantly, the SLS molecule is not absorbed by intact skin, debunking the false claim that SLS in toothpaste leads to cancer, as it lacks any scientific basis. Over decades, SLS has been utilised without any reported incidents of oral cancer. It’s important to note that the SLS molecule is not absorbed by intact skin. Therefore, the claim that SLS in toothpaste leads to cancer is entirely false and lacks any scientific basis.