What Is Gluten-Free Toothpaste?

Gluten-free toothpaste is any type of toothpaste that is made without gluten included in the ingredients. Gluten is a protein that is found in many foods, such as those made with wheat, rye or barley. It also is found in vitamins, medicines and many products that are not meant to be consumed, such as makeup, lipstick, hair care products, mouthwash and toothpaste. People who are allergic to gluten or have a difficult time digesting it might look for gluten-free products, including gluten-free toothpaste.

Gluten is not an easily digestible substance and can quickly irritate the digestive tract and various organs of a normal, healthy person. It is especially damaging to people who have diseases and disorders such as diabetes, lupus, asthma, arthritis and celiac disease. Individuals who have these diseases need to be on gluten-free diets. There are many symptoms of gluten intolerance, including abdominal cramping or bloating, loose stools or constipation, a distended stomach, nausea and a swollen tongue.

Exposure to gluten can lead to permanent damage to the intestines of gluten-sensitive people. Damage to the intestines can prevent the absorption of essential nutrients from foods, which might allow more complex illnesses to develop. For these reasons, it is important that people who are sensitive to gluten live a completely gluten-free lifestyle and eliminate gluten from everything that could be either ingested or absorbed into the system. Though it is unlikely for an adult who has gluten intolerance to swallow enough toothpaste to cause a problem, it is not impossible, so using a gluten-free toothpaste is important for someone whose body cannot tolerate gluten.

Many toothpaste manufacturers claim that their products are gluten-free. Some will not claim to have completely gluten-free toothpaste because of the risk of a lawsuit if even the tiniest amount of gluten is detected. Information about whether a specific toothpaste is a gluten-free toothpaste usually can be found on the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers also have toll-free numbers that allow consumers to call and ask customer service representatives questions regarding the gluten content of the product.