Some ingredients are added for flavouring or to enhance the sensation of freshness. They can cause peeling (desquamation) of the lining of the mouth. They may also cause irritation of the lips or the corners of the mouth (cheillitis).
Flavourants (menthol, spearmint, peppermint, vanillin, cinnamal etc) and essential oils (eucalyptus) do not have any therapeutic benefit (preventing decay or slowing down plaque accumulation).
Some patients may be sensitive to detergents that help the toothpaste to foam, such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Cocamidopropyl betaine.
Other additives such as charcoal are abrasive and can wear enamel or artificial dental materials such as composite. This may cause the composite to lose its gloss.
There is no need to panic and throw out all your existing toothpaste if it contains these ingredients, unless you are experiencing irritation around the mouth. Use this as a guide when you are shopping for your next toothpaste. Your dentist's office will usually have samples to try.
