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.
I had one custom made to avoid the cost of medical grade/dental lasers. You can make your own pretty easily with a diode and some other parts but I wanted a good shape for reaching the affected areas and my metalwork skills are nonexistent. I had it specced at 810nm, 600mW.
Be sure not to do this without knowledge of high powered lasers! At that wavelength and wattage it’s pretty weak for lasers, but still >100x the wattage of a typical laser pointer. It won’t burn through things like other similar lasers, but it will blind you with no warning and no room for error if you’re not careful and using the right glasses. Lasers are not actually very fun at all since you have to be very cautious.
Ahh so it is a DIY lazer. I was thinking it was a commercial product you would buy.
There are commercial medical/dental lasers but they’re decently more expensive. Still worth it but as a laser hobbyist I’m comfortable with the things. You can find them by searching for an 808nm dental laser.
Oh, they’re kind of big, which is the other downside. Make sure to still use the appropriate glasses
There’s also a device that uses red light instead, I think called luminance red. Not as effective but way cheaper than everything but a DIY with your own diode, and still reduces sore length for most people