Minty and refreshing, toothpaste is part of nearly everyone’s morning and evening routines. Afternoons, too, if you happen to be especially dedicated to keeping those teeth pearly white.
Despite its prevalence (and importance!) toothpaste is often not something those who are new to the gluten-free lifestyle give much thought to. Why would gluten need to be in toothpaste? As it turns out, there are a few reasons, which means not all toothpaste is gluten free. Gluten’s elasticity makes it useful for a range of products that aren’t food, including make-up, lotions, soaps and – yes – even toothpaste.
If you’re searching for a gluten-free toothpaste, it’s important to scrutinize the label. Sometimes, toothpaste manufacturers will use a thickening agent that is grain-based. Wheat-based sorbitol is one culprit that would sneak gluten into your daily brushing routine. Seeing “natural flavors” listed on the label should give you pause as well. The natural flavors in toothpaste, or any other product, may be derived from malt, a grain.
But even if the label lacks an obvious source of gluten that doesn’t mean you’ll be in the clear. Because many toothpaste ingredients are processed in places that handle a variety of products there’s always the danger of cross-contamination.
Now, there are gluten-free toothpastes available. Whatever you choose, be sure to opt for a brand that has the American Dental Association’s approval. That means the toothpaste has met strict requirements for quality control and will put you on the road to better oral health.
If you’re wondering about what toothpaste brands to buy next time you need to run errands, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of some gluten-free toothpaste, according to the manufacturers. As always, ingredients are subject to change, so it’s important to verify any product’s gluten-free status to be completely safe.
Aquafresh – Gluten Free
The company states that all of its products, including ones for kids and adults, are in fact gluten free.
Crest – Gluten Free
All toothpaste products from Crest are gluten-free according to the business. Note that not all of its oral hygiene products are gluten-free though. The company says that its Pro-Health Rinse mouthwash may contain traces of gluten.
Colgate – Gluten Free
Colgate is one company with a wide range of products that are gluten free. The business says that its Colgate, PreviDent and Ultrabite brands do not contain gluten. Additionally, all of the company’s mouthwashes are gluten-free.
Sensodyne – Mostly Gluten Free
The company verifies that the toothpaste in the Pronamel line is, in fact, gluten free. And while Sensodyne says it doesn’t explicitly use ingredients containing gluten in its other products the company notes that there is a chance for gluten cross-contamination.
Looking for gluten-free toothpaste recommendations? Check out this link for more information.
