You probably know that it’s extremely important to brush and floss every day, but do you know what’s in your toothpaste? Your toothpaste is made with abrasive agents to remove plaque, flavorings, humectants to keep your smile moist, thickeners to keep ideal texture, and often fluoride to strengthen teeth.
While knowing what’s inside your toothpaste is relatively important, you can usually tell what your toothpaste does simply by looking on the box. However, knowing what is in your toothpaste can be important for those with allergies.
Fortunately, toothpaste allergies are very rare and are usually only caused by one ingredient—though at times a combination of ingredients may be responsible. Sadly, most people don’t realize that they may be allergic to toothpaste and don’t tell their dentist about their symptoms.
The most common symptom is a rash that appears around the mouth but may spread to your nose and cheeks. Inflamed gums, red eyes, painful sores, and even respiratory issues may be signs that you have a problem with your toothpaste. Your gums may also become dry, irritated, and could crack.
If you see either of these signs after you brush, please remember to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will analyze your smile and recommend something to help. Based on your needs, your dentist may recommend simply putting less toothpaste on your brush or using different toothpaste.
If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us. We’re excited to hear from you.