Ever brushed your teeth and felt like your mouth was on fire? You’re not alone. That sharp, tingling sensation is one of the most common complaints about mainstream toothpaste.
We’re diving into the story of mint toothpaste – why it became the default, why it doesn’t work for everyone, and why natural mint toothpaste (like ours) could be your mouth’s new best friend.
Why is toothpaste mint flavoured?
Toothpaste hasn’t always been minty. In fact, go back far enough and you’ll find it flavoured with charcoal, burnt bread, even powdered oyster shells (yes, really).
Mint rose to popularity in the early 1900s, when brands like Pepsodent and later Colgate began adding mint oils – especially menthol – to give toothpaste that cool, clean-feeling finish. It wasn’t really about oral health; it was about sending a sensory signal that your mouth was fresh.
But over time, brands kept dialling it up. Artificial mint flavourings and foaming agents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) became the norm. And for some of us, that’s when toothpaste stopped feeling refreshing – and started feeling like too much.
Why does toothpaste burn?
The burning, tingling, or spicy feeling you get from brushing doesn’t come from mint alone. It’s usually the result of a potent combination of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and overly artificial mint flavouring.
SLS is a synthetic foaming agent used in most mainstream toothpastes to make the formula lather. When combined with synthetic menthol flavours, SLS can overwhelm your mouth’s delicate tissues – leaving you feeling scorched, not refreshed.
Here’s what this combo can do:
- Strip away the protective layer from your tongue and cheeks
- Alter how your taste buds perceive flavour
- Create micro-irritations or ulcers in the mouth’s soft tissue
- Intensify the natural cooling effect of mint into a full-on chemical burn
So if you've ever wondered why toothpaste burns your mouth, lips or tongue – this harsh duo is likely the reason.
For some, mainstream mint is too much
The truth is: not everyone gets on with big brand mint toothpaste. And for good reason.
Let’s break it down:
1. Some people are supertasters
Supertasters are people who have more taste buds than average – meaning they experience mint as extra strong. For them, mint toothpaste doesn’t feel fresh – it feels like a spicy slap.
What are supertasters sensitive to? Bitter flavours, intense spices, and yes – overpowering mint.
2. SLS and fake mint make mint feel harsher than it is
SLS doesn't just make toothpaste foam – it changes how flavours hit your mouth. It strips away protective layers and alters how your taste buds work, making synthetic mint feel even more intense. That’s why some people think they don’t like mint – when really, they just don’t like this version of mint.
3. Mint can aggravate Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
Burning Mouth Syndrome is a painful, often chronic condition that causes a scalding sensation in the mouth. Strong mint flavour – and especially SLS – can trigger or worsen symptoms. If you're looking for the best toothpaste for burning mouth syndrome, skip the chemicals and go gentle.
4. Mint can trigger acid reflux
Mint toothpaste is a common trigger for acid reflux in sensitive people—especially when combined with SLS. That cooling tingle? It can backfire into heartburn or throat irritation.
5. Children and sensory sensitivities
Children’s palates are naturally more sensitive. The punchy menthol in adult toothpastes can be overwhelming. Likewise, people with sensory sensitivities often find mint toothpaste too intense – too cold, too spicy, or too sharp.
Why natural mint toothpaste is better for sensitive mouths
If you still want that clean, minty feel – but without the drama – natural mint toothpaste is a breath of fresh air (literally).
Our natural toothpaste skips the chemical burn and delivers gentle, effective freshness:
- Tastes like fine mint tea, not mint chewing gum on steroids
- SLS-free, so it won’t strip your mouth or alter how things taste
- Gentle on mouths with Burning Mouth Syndrome and kind to those prone to acid reflux
“We wanted to create a mint toothpaste that felt elegant – not aggressive. We use a bespoke mix of two mint oils in carefully balanced amounts, so you get long-lasting minty freshness – without the chemical burn that turns brushing into a chore. It’s mint for grown-ups – subtle, smooth, and smart.”
– Majedeh Mazraei, Life Supplies Formulation Chemist & Dental Expert
Meet your new favourite mint toothpaste
Our SLS-free, natural mint toothpaste is the alternative your mouth has been quietly asking for. It’s designed for people who want:
- Real freshness without irritation
- Relief from the burn of mainstream mint toothpaste
- A formula that works with their mouth, not against it
Gentle doesn’t mean less effective. In fact, our formula was developed with dental experts to protect teeth, support gum health, and deliver the kind of freshness that feels refined – not radioactive.
Ready to ditch the burn? Try our refillable Natural Mint Toothpaste – made for sensitive mouths, curious palates, and people who want freshness without the fire.
