Why does toothpaste burn

If so, does that mean it's working well? There are one or two brands that are like fire in my mouth, for some reason. What the heck is going on? My dental hygienist, Dawn has told me this time and time again. She says there is an ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate that is used in toothpastes and shampoos.

According to her, this ingredient has no value except to produce foam. It gives you the feeling that something is happening to make either your hair or your "pearly whites" clean. Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Badge field New. Published date field. Top Articles. Why You Don't Want to Put Toothpaste on Burns A study published in the Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries notes that applying toothpaste to a burn is a "potentially harmful" treatment that can "worsen the burn.

Unless a burn affects sensitive parts of your body, you can usually treat minor burns at home, Minor burns suitable for home treatment include: First-degree burns , which appear on the outer skin layer, are usually red, painful, and swollen.

Small second-degree burns are no more than three inches in diameter. These burns are usually red, swollen, painful, and develop a blister impacting the outer and the underlying skin layers.

Soak the burned area in the water or apply a cold, damp compress to the area for at least 10 minutes. Don't use ice on the burn, as the frigid temperature can further injure the skin.

After cooling the burn, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to protect it and cover it with a bandage. If there's a blister, avoid popping it. If you're in a lot of pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

We want to make sure you're comfortable. When to Get Medical Help Major burns and burns affecting some age groups need immediate professional medical attention. Since it's essential to prevent burn-related infections and other complications, the National Institutes of Health advises urgent medical help in these cases: If a child age 4 or younger or an adult 60 and older suffers any kind of burn — minor or major.

You can't diagnose the type of burn. In that case, go ahead and treat it as a major burn. You experience large second-degree burns or second-degree burns on the hands, feet, face, joints, posterior, or genital area.

You suffer third-degree burns that penetrate deep into the skin, turning it white or black. The burned area might be numb.

Xylitol in toothpastes reduces plaque buildup and fights gum disease and cavities. Because of its sweet flavor, it is a great ingredient to look for in toothpastes for kids. Nano-hydroxyapatite is a relatively new ingredient in toothpastes, and it is very difficult to find in the U.

You will have to look online for toothpastes containing this ingredient because they are most commonly found in Canada and Japan at this time. Bioavailable nano-hydroxyapatite works to strengthen enamel, fight cavities, and counteract acid damage. Hydroxyapatite is one of the minerals that forms the hard structure of enamel.

Scientists have found that a tooth can absorb bioavailable nano-hydroxyapatite into the enamel to harden that mineral structure. This helps make the enamel more resistant to cavities and damage from acid.

Studies also show that nano-hydroxyapatite can stop early cavities and keep them from growing into the tooth. Triclosan is the active ingredient in the popular Colgate Total toothpaste.

It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies show that it reduces plaque buildup and gingivitis. There are concerns that this ingredient contributes to bacterial resistance to antibiotics meaning it makes bacteria stronger so that antibiotics are not as effective. For this reason, we recommend that you use Colgate Total on a temporary basis only.

It can be a great tool to help get your gum disease under control. Using it for a few months will not hurt you. Once you notice an improvement in the appearance and feel of your gums, you can stop using it. They should have less swelling, less bleeding, and less redness. Then switch to a non-Triclosan toothpaste for long-term use.

Still confused about all of these ingredients?