That minty fresh, foam-filled feeling can only come from one thing—brushing your teeth. But what’s that foaming agent in toothpaste? And why does toothpaste foam?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is responsible for the foaming in toothpaste. SLS is a common detergent in many personal care products. It works well in toothpaste because it doesn’t affect the flavor or how the other ingredients work. And it has mild antibacterial properties.
The foaming action is an important quality of toothpaste. Foam helps distribute the cleansing ingredients throughout your mouth, including between teeth, and helps remove plaque and other debris from the mouth.
Now that you know why toothpaste foams, learn more on the topic of toothpaste: