Toothpaste ingredients explained: fluoride, hydroxyapatite, SLS and abrasives
A toothpaste label lists cleaning particles, foaming agents, humectants, flavour and often an active such as fluoride or hydroxyapatite. How to read it, what the EU rules say and why questions about your teeth belong with a dentist.
Updated: 31 October 2026 · Reviewed by: Kamil Pyziak
Cosmetic or medicine?
In the EU, most toothpastes and mouthwashes are cosmetic products: the Cosmetics Regulation explicitly covers products used on the teeth and the mucous membranes of the mouth to clean, protect or keep them in good condition. They therefore carry a full INCI list, just like a shampoo. A product presented as treating or preventing a disease can fall under medicines law instead, and the line between the two is decided case by case by national authorities.
This guide explains what the ingredients are and what the rules say. It does not replace advice from a dentist, who can recommend a toothpaste and routine suited to your teeth or your child’s.
Fluoride: the most established active
Fluoride is the active ingredient in most toothpastes. On INCI lists you will find it as Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Stannous Fluoride or amine fluorides such as Olaflur. Its role in helping to protect against tooth decay is supported by a large body of research, which is why dental organisations widely recommend fluoride toothpaste.
EU rules list fluorine compounds in Annex III of the Cosmetics Regulation: in oral care products the total fluorine content must not exceed 0.15%. Toothpastes in the upper range must carry specific wording on use by children unless they are labelled as unsuitable for children. Packs often state the content in ppm (parts per million); 1,000 ppm corresponds to 0.1%. Which strength is right for a given person is a question for a dentist.
Hydroxyapatite: the fluoride-free alternative
Hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate mineral closely related to the main mineral of tooth enamel. In toothpaste it is used as a mild cleaning agent and in products marketed as fluoride-free, with the idea that it can deposit on the tooth surface. Research on its effects is growing, but it is less extensive than the evidence base for fluoride.
Hydroxyapatite is often used in nano form. Nano ingredients must be marked with “(nano)” after their name on EU ingredient lists. Nano hydroxyapatite has been assessed by the SCCS and is listed in Annex III with maximum concentrations for toothpastes and mouthwashes (Regulation (EU) 2024/858).
Foaming agents: SLS and alternatives
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) makes toothpaste foam and helps spread it around the mouth. Some people who are prone to recurrent mouth ulcers prefer SLS-free toothpaste; studies on whether this helps have produced mixed results. If you have frequent ulcers, a dentist or doctor should look at the cause.
SLS-free toothpastes use other surfactants such as Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate or Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, or foam very little. Less foam does not mean less cleaning: brushing itself does most of the mechanical work.
Abrasives and the rest of the formula
Mild abrasives help remove plaque and surface stains. The most common are Hydrated Silica, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Alumina and Perlite. How abrasive a toothpaste is depends on the particle type, size and amount; it is often expressed as an RDA value, which is not required on EU packs. Whitening toothpastes may rely on more abrasive particles or other mechanisms. Hydrogen peroxide is limited to low concentrations in oral care products sold to consumers; higher concentrations for tooth whitening are reserved for dental practitioners in the EU.
The rest of the list usually includes humectants that keep the paste from drying out (Sorbitol, Glycerin), thickeners (Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum), sweeteners (Sodium Saccharin, Xylitol), flavour declared as Aroma, and sometimes Zinc Citrate or Potassium Nitrate in products for specific needs. Charcoal Powder appears in black toothpastes; evidence for its benefits is limited and its abrasiveness is a common question.
What the label does not tell you
The INCI list does not state the exact fluoride concentration (unless the brand adds it in ppm), the abrasivity of the paste or whether the formula has been tested for any claims on the pack. It also cannot tell you which toothpaste suits your teeth, gums or sensitivity.
Toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed. Questions about fluoride for children, sensitive teeth, bleeding gums or mouth ulcers should go to a dentist or doctor, not to an ingredient list.