Not many people suffer from toothpaste allergies, but for those who do, it can be a struggle.  If present the Allergy to toothpaste appears as  an inflammation of the lips, cracked lips, redness at the corners of the mouth, irritation of the palms (usually of the hand holding the toothbrush), tongue and gums. Increased gum and teeth sensitivity may also occur and, in severe cases, mouth ulcers that do not heal can appear. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to make an appointment at Tooronga Family Dentistry.
The reason that toothpaste allergy develops is the flavoring ingredients used, most commonly spearmint, cinnamon and other high intensity flavors. Unfortunately, these flavoring additives are often not specified clearly on the toothpaste label, making it difficult to distinguish what brand or which substance may cause irritation.
Other common irritants found are: Cocamidopropyl betaine (CPB), an organic compound derived from coconut oil used as a foam booster and thickener in toothpaste and shampoos, Propylene glycol, a preservative and mixing agent, essential oils and other antibacterials.
These compounds may also be present in chewing gum and mouthwashes and can lead to similar symptoms.
If you suffer from any allergic reaction to the toothpaste ingredients it is important to consult your doctor to make sure that the causative agents are identified . It has been found that when the allergic patients stopped using the irritating toothpaste the symptoms were resolved. After you know which ingredients cause an allergic reaction you can look at your local chemist for a toothpaste that does not contain it.