How To Know If Your Toothpaste Is Causing Your Mouth To Burn

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Medically reviewed by Danielle Romatz, RDH

Toothpaste comes in an overwhelming variety of brands, all promising unmatched cavity protection, fresh breath, whitening power, and whatnot. But with the many flavors and various active ingredients across different brands, it’s no surprise a good number of toothpaste types can cause gum and mouth irritation. So, how do you know your toothpaste is the culprit?

Tingling or numbness on the tip of your tongue, a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth, soreness, and dryness of the mouth could all mean your toothpaste is causing your mouth to burn. The most common substances that cause toothpaste allergies are flavors like menthol and peppermint.

Burning mouth syndrome often feels like you’ve just gargled acid or someone has ignited a fire in your mouth. It’s an uncomfortable and annoying condition that could leave you desperate and obsessed with the desire for quick oral relief. Let’s get started so you figure out if your toothpaste is causing your mouth to burn and how to go about it.

Can Toothpaste Burn Your Mouth?

Attractive woman practicing dental hygiene

Your toothpaste can burn your mouth if you’re allergic to any of its active ingredients and flavors. And this effect isn’t consistent across the board. While some may experience burning with a traditional toothpaste like that form Colgate (on Amazon) or you’re using a natural toothpaste with less harsh chemicals like that from Burt’s Bees (also on Amazon), you may have a sensitivity to one of the ingredients in play.

While the ingredients used in ordinary toothpaste aren’t necessarily toxic, certain compounds will cause gum and mouth irritation for some people. And if you suffer from stomatitis or have cracks, lesions, or sores in your mouth, you’ll likely experience a burning sensation from using certain toothpaste.

According to the American Dental Association, burning mouth syndrome affects both men and women, but it’s more common in women during or after menopause. Underlying conditions like diabetes, oral fungal infections, acid reflux, nutritional deficiencies, and cancer treatment are also associated with burning mouth syndrome.

Moreover, ill-fitting dentures, allergies to denture materials, and damage to the nerves of the mouth can also cause the problem. In this case, using certain toothpaste brands will only intensify the burning sensation.

How to Know if Your Toothpaste is Causing Your Mouth to Burn

If your toothpaste is causing your mouth to burn, you’ll experience a tingling or numbness on the tip of your tongue, a bitter taste in your mouth, soreness, and dryness of the mouth.

As the name suggests, burning mouth syndrome affects parts of your mouth or the entire mouth. This goes for your tongue, gums, inside your cheeks, and upper palate. It could start mainly with your tongue before it travels around different areas of your mouth and even the back of your throat!

Toothpaste Allergies

Toothpaste allergies usually develop in the form of chapped lips, rash around the mouth, and a burning or itchy sensation. You should also be aware of cheilitis, an uncommon toothpaste allergy that causes severely cracked, dry lips.

Most toothpaste allergies are linked to one specific ingredient, like artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. The most common substances derived from the mint plant which cause toothpaste allergies include:

  • Carvone
  • Menthol
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint

Other substances known to cause allergies include:

  • Anethole
  • Azulene
  • Cinnamal
  • Dipentene
  • Propolis
  • Hexylresorcinol
  • Parabens
  • Fluoride salts

Curiously, most of these allergies are harmless and will quickly disappear once you’ve ditched the toothpaste causing the problem and switched to a better alternative. But if the symptoms persist or become worse, consult your dentist immediately.

Toothpaste Ingredients

Before you ditch one toothpaste for another, you should understand the active ingredients in each dollop you put on your brush and the specific risks they pose. These are the most common ingredients used in toothpaste:

Fluoride

Many kinds of toothpaste use a fluoride compound like sodium or stannous fluoride to help fight cavities, plaque buildup, and damage from acid.

Fluoride is an essential ingredient with a low risk of toxicity, provided it’s used in the right amounts. While some toothpastes claim to be fluoride-free, leading dentists recommend you use fluoride toothpaste for brushing at least twice a day.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a detergent that makes toothpaste foam to clean your teeth effectively. 

However, studies have shown that SLS can irritate the soft tissues lining the inside of your mouth, especially if you have soft tissue disorders like pemphigus, lichen planus, and burning mouth syndrome.

To avoid the severe burning or stinging sensation, switch to an ADA-approved toothpaste without SLS. Most brands market SLS-free toothpaste to people with dry or sensitive mouths. 

Note: This toothpaste only addresses sensitive intraoral tissues like the gums, cheeks, and tongue.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener used in toothpaste to numb the unpleasant taste of other active ingredients used in toothpaste. It also reduces plaque buildup and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria since they can’t digest it. Due to its sweet flavor, xylitol is a great ingredient to look for in kids’ toothpaste.

Nano-Hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite is one of the minerals that make up the hard outer structure of the tooth called enamel. Scientific studies show that your teeth can absorb bioavailable nano-hydroxyapatite into the enamel to harden its structure further. 

This is good since the mineral helps strengthen the enamel, fight cavities, and prevent damage from acid. However, nano-hydroxyapatite is a relatively new ingredient in toothpaste, and you may have to search online for toothpaste containing it, like those from Japan and Canada.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an active ingredient with great antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition, studies show that it can help reduce plaque buildup and gingivitis.

Although small amounts of triclosan are safe and beneficial to oral health, it has been removed from most toothpaste brands due to its potential side effects, so unless you use Colgate Total (on Amazon), you won’t have to worry about it.

Potassium Nitrate

Potassium nitrate is mainly found in toothpaste that treats tooth sensitivity, like Sensodyne (on Amazon). It desensitizes the nerves inside your teeth, relieving the painful sensations when taking cold, hot, or sweet foods. It also helps with sensitivity caused by gum recession.

However, potassium nitrate doesn’t help treat sensitivity caused by cavities or cracked teeth.

Natural Toothpastes

Tube of natural toothpaste and bamboo toothbrush

Natural toothpaste from reputable brands has fewer additives and harmful chemicals that would otherwise cause your mouth to burn. Dentists recommend you use toothpaste without the following ingredients:

  • Azulene (an anti-inflammatory agent)
  • Dipentene (a solvent)
  • Parabens
  • Antiseptics like propolis
  • Hexylresorcinol
  • Abrasive salts
  • Surfactants like Cocamidopropyl betaine

Moreover, dental experts recommend you only go for natural toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval because they’re safe to use. This comes in handy because natural toothpastes are largely unregulated.

The following natural toothpastes have the ADA seal of approval and don’t contain SLS or other artificial ingredients that could irritate your mouth:

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