Orange juice is a common morning beverage. Many people like it because of its delicious taste and Vitamin C. It’s refreshing and can give you the energy you need to start your day off on the right foot. If you’ve ever had orange juice right after you brushed your teeth, chances are you noticed a weird taste.
Rest assured this is completely normal and likely happens to just about everyone who drinks orange juice after they brush their teeth. You can blame this weird taste on something called sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) in the toothpaste.
SLS is the reason your toothpaste turns into a bubbly foam that makes spreading it a breeze. It’s known to suppress receptors in your taste buds that pick up on sweet flavors. Therefore, you’re not able to taste the sweetness in your orange juice if you use toothpaste with SLS. The good news is you don’t have to avoid orange juice in the mornings.
You can buy toothpaste without SLS and avoid a weird taste. Some of the top brands that formulate SLS free toothpaste include Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bees, Poofy Organics Happy Teeth Toothpaste, and Dr. Collins Natural Toothpaste and Earthpaste. If you’d like to stick to your current toothpaste, you can also drink some water or chew on sugar-free gum.
Another option is to save your brushing for after you drink your morning cup of orange juice. However, we don’t recommend this. Here’s why: After you drink orange juice, your enamel will soften temporarily. If you brush your teeth with this type of enamel, you may experience pain, cosmetic damage, and sensitivity.
Contact River Run Dental
If you have further questions about orange juice and SLS toothpaste, don’t hesitate to contact 804-409-0387. We’ll be happy to give you some more suggestions or schedule your next appointment.