What Causes Skin Peeling Inside Mouth and Lips? Treatment Tips

Understanding Skin Peeling Inside the Mouth

Many people experience an uncomfortable skin peeling sensation inside the lips or mouth after brushing their teeth. This seemingly harmless issue can cause irritation, pain, and discomfort. Getting to the root cause of why this occurs is the first step in preventing further skin sensitivity and peeling inside the mouth.

Causes of Skin Peeling Inside the Mouth

There are a few key reasons why peeling skin inside the mouth may happen after brushing teeth:

• Toothpaste ingredients - Common irritants include menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and peroxide.
• Oral thrush - A yeast infection in the mouth can cause redness, peeling, and soreness.
• Dry mouth - Saliva helps protect the delicate tissues in the mouth. Not producing enough can lead to irritation.
• Vitamin deficiencies - Being deficient in certain vitamins can contribute to mouth sores and skin peeling.
• Underlying conditions - Diseases like celiac or Crohns can manifest with mouth irritation.

Understanding what may be causing skin inside the mouth to slough off is the critical first step toward prevention and treatment.

Toothpaste Ingredients That Cause Peeling

For many who deal with mouth skin peeling, the main culprits are ingredients commonly found in toothpastes including:

• Menthol - This ingredient gives toothpaste a cooling, minty flavor but can be irritating.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - A foaming agent that can break down skin cells in sensitive individuals.
• Peroxide - Used for whitening and cleaning but lead to mouth irritation in some.

Testing out a toothpaste without these potentially irritating ingredients can help prevent further skin peeling and discomfort after brushing.

Treatment and Prevention Strategies

If mouth skin peeling is primarily occurring after brushing teeth, evaluating your current oral hygiene regimen is key. There are several effective approaches to prevent this problem from recurring on the delicate mouth skin tissue.

Use a Gentle, Sensitive Toothpaste

Switching out your usual toothpaste brand for one catered to sensitive teeth and mouths can make a significant difference. Some top options to try include:

• Sensodyne - Formulated without dyes, flavors, or SLS.
• Tom's of Maine Sensitive - All-natural toothpaste free of irritating chemicals.
• Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste - Soothes mouth tissue without SLS.

Using a specially designed sensitive toothpaste for a few weeks can help determine if your usual brand is the culprit behind mouth skin peeling.

Practice Good Oral Care Habits

Along with a toothpaste swap, be sure your daily oral hygiene routine isn't contributing to further mouth irritation. Helpful tips include:

• Brushing gently and not too aggressively.
• Allowing toothpaste foam to remain on teeth before rinsing.
• Flossing once daily to clear bacteria and food debris.
• Using alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid dryness.
• Drinking plenty of water to support mouth hydration.

Making small tweaks to your overall oral care approach aids healing while also preventing recurrence of painful mouth skin peeling.

Ask Your Dentist About Specialty Toothpastes

In addition to over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes, there are specialty brands made specifically to soothe delicate or irritated mouth tissue. Ask your dentist for samples or recommendations on products to try such as:

• MI Paste ONE - Soothes mouth lesions while remineralizing teeth.
• Biotene Dry Mouth Toothpaste - Formulated for chronic dry mouth relief.
• Periotherapy - Aids gum and mouth tissue healing after injury or surgery.

Specialty toothpastes help provide intensive treatment for irritated or peeling skin inside the mouth.

When to See a Doctor

Using gentle oral products and adjusting habits often alleviates mouth skin irritation and peeling. But if these issues persist beyond a few weeks or you notice other symptoms, seeking medical attention is wise. Be sure to consult a dentist or doctor if you experience:

• Blisters, sores or lesions inside the mouth
• Bleeding gums
• White, patchy areas in the mouth
• Difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing
• Sudden loss of taste
• Stiffness or discomfort moving the jaw

These more serious symptoms may indicate an underlying oral infection, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune condition requiring further evaluation and specialty treatment.

The Takeaway

Skin peeling inside the lips or mouth after brushing is often due to toothpaste irritants. Switching to a specialty sensitive brand typically provides relief. Practicing good oral habits also prevents further irritation allowing delicate mouth tissue to heal. If skin peeling and discomfort persists or other symptoms develop, contacting your dentist is recommended to check for an underlying condition requiring more aggressive treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.