Let’s be honest. When springtime comes around, seasonal allergies are a hot topic of conversation. Our itchy noses and throats, watery eyes, and more-than-occasional sneezing all have the power to disrupt our day. (By the way, if you don’t experience seasonal allergies, you basically hit the jackpot.) When we try a new skincare product and break out into a rash or discover a new food allergy, we’re usually quick to investigate it, tell stories about it, and steer cut out the culprit.
But why are toothpaste allergies so seldom discussed? Well, there are a number of reasons, some of which include:
- Toothpaste allergies are generally less common than the allergies mentioned above.
- The mouth is a “taboo” place, and it can feel awkward to discuss it.
- We think: how can we even know the allergic reaction is coming from toothpaste?
- Toothpaste allergies present themselves in so many different forms.
The list goes on. But if you’re someone who has ever experienced an allergic reaction to toothpaste, you probably want to understand the ins and outs of it. And if you haven’t experienced it, it never hurts to prepare! That’s exactly what we’re here to help with, and remind you of all the reasons that Davids makes a great toothpaste for people prone to allergies.
common toothpaste allergies + their symptoms
First off, toothpaste allergies are a real thing! So if you’ve been noticing irritation after switching to a new toothpaste, or you just want to be aware of the possibility of a toothpaste allergy in the future...you’re not crazy, and this information will help you!
So, what are some common symptoms that stem from an allergic reaction to toothpaste? They depend on a wide range of conditions, but we’ve included some common symptoms below.
- Cheilitis: severe inflammation of the lips that causes dryness, redness, cracking, and itching. Often, it looks like red swollen patches at the corners of your mouth.
- Chapped lips: and we mean the kind of lip chapping that doesn’t go away with hydration and chapstick!
- Contact dermatitis: commonly known as a rash, which can occur around/near your mouth if you’re experiencing an allergic reaction to toothpaste.
- Irritation within the mouth: although, symptoms inside the mouth are less common and often harder to notice.
But the severity of your allergic reaction will really depend on what specific ingredient(s) might be causing the problem. So let’s go through a few common allergens in toothpaste.
- Dyes: Have you ever tried a toothpaste that’s bright blue and sparkly? While it may look pretty, Blue 1 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum that’s believed to be linked to allergies and other health conditions.
- Artificial sweeteners: Many toothpastes contain saccharin since it can sweeten toothpaste without the dental harms of sugar. However, it can cause rashes and irritation around your mouth and other bodily discomforts.
- Artificial preservatives: Many conventional toothpastes use artificial preservatives such as parabens, which are known to cause irritation upon contact with the skin and mouth.
- Fragrance: Some conventional toothpastes also use fragrance to give the product a fresh smell. (We prefer to get our minty fresh smell from peppermint oils derived from nature). The umbrella “fragrance” is a very common allergen in skin care and oral care products.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): You’ve probably heard us talk about this one before, but SLS is a foaming agent typically found in shampoo. Results of an SLS toothpaste allergy include canker sores and cheilitis.
- Fluoride: Unfortunately, this famous, enamel-strengthening ingredient is also a common allergen. Fluoride allergy symptoms include cuts or lesions in your mouth and swelling of your mouth, tongue, or face. If over ingested, fluoride can also cause symptoms like nausea, headaches, muscle weakness, and more.
- Gluten: Surprise! Due to its sticky nature, gluten is used in a lot of conventional toothpastes. In addition to digestive issues, gluten can cause rashes and irritation if you’re sensitive to it.
If you’ve been experiencing some discomfort in your mouth, try checking for any of these ingredients in your current tube!
how to identify why you’re having an allergic reaction to toothpaste
In addition to observing your symptoms (some of which are outlined above), consider the following steps.
Stop using the suspected toothpaste and switch back to your previous toothpaste.
This is the easiest way to confirm if your toothpaste is the cause of your allergic reaction. Plus, by switching back to a previous one, you know you won’t be buying another tube that gives you the same trouble.
Visit your doctor.
The best way to get some answers is to talk with your doctor about your symptoms. Ask your doctor about the possibility of allergy testing. This can help you narrow down specific ingredients to avoid in future toothpaste purchases.
Try a new allergy-friendly toothpaste, like Davids Natural Toothpaste.
We know we’re biased, so we’ll stick to the facts. Davids completely avoids the common allergens mentioned in the previous section, so that’s quite promising! Let’s take a deeper dive into why Davids is a good toothpaste for allergies.
why Davids is a great toothpaste for allergies
Davids Natural Toothpaste never uses artificial flavors, preservatives, dyes, or fragrances. We’re proud that our toothpaste gets its minty-fresh scent+taste and keeps its freshness through naturally derived ingredients like peppermint, spearmint, xylitol, vegetable glycerin, and more!
On top of that, Davids is an SLS-free toothpaste. In place of SLS, we use a gentle+mild foaming agent called sodium cocoyl glutamate that’s derived from coconut. It goes through an advanced processing system to ensure high quality and efficacy.
Last, but certainly not least, Davids is a fluoride-free toothpaste. Even without fluoride, Davids works to remove plaque from your teeth, balance the bacteria in your mouth, polish and whiten your enamel, and work to prevent cavities.
At the end of the day, we’re proud to offer a safe natural toothpaste that’s proven effective, even for some of the more sensitive mouths out there! If any of the information in this article resonated with your toothpaste experience, consider it a nudge from the universe to make Davids your toothpaste allergy alternative.