What’s in Colgate Toothpaste That Raised Alarms?

Colgate toothpaste has been trusted worldwide for decades, known for delivering high-quality oral care products to millions of families. However, recent alerts in Latin America have raised concerns about its Colgate Total Clean Mint toothpaste, after users reported irritation, mouth sores, and inflammation in the lips and gums.

In this article, you’ll find out why this controversy started, whether you should be concerned, and what steps you can take to continue protecting your family’s oral health.

What happened with Colgate Total Clean Mint in Latin America?

Everything began in Brazil in March 2025, where the national health authority ANVISA temporarily banned Colgate Total Clean Mint after receiving over 1,200 reports of reactions such as: 

• mouth ulcers and painful sores
• burning sensations
• swelling in lips and gums

Other countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela also issued health alerts or began investigations. In Venezuela, authorities classified the product as “unfit for human consumption” based on Brazil’s findings.

Health authorities have pointed to stannous fluoride as the likely cause of these reactions, although other factors related to the product’s formulation are still under investigation.

What is stannous fluoride?

Stannous fluoride is one of several types of fluoride used in toothpaste. It’s an active ingredient with well-known benefits for oral health:

• strengthens tooth enamel and protects against erosion
• fights plaque, gingivitis, and bacterial buildup
• reduces dental hypersensitivity

This ingredient has been safely used for years in dental care products and toothpastes like Crest Pro-Health, Parodontax, and Sensodyne Repair & Protect, without generating health alerts or reports of adverse effects.

Is stannous fluoride harmful?

No, not by itself. In fact, stannous fluoride is widely approved and used in many safe toothpaste brands. 

What’s currently under investigation is whether the adverse effects reported with Colgate toothpaste are caused:

• directly by the stannous fluoride,
• or by its combination with other specific ingredients in the product’s formula.

For stannous fluoride to work safely, it must be properly stabilized in the formula. If it isn’t, it may oxidize or interact with other ingredients, potentially leading to irritation, especially in people with sensitive oral tissues.

The issue seems to be how Colgate Total Clean Mint was formulated, not the ingredient itself.

Are all Colgate toothpastes affected?

No, the alert applies only to Colgate Total Clean Mint, which contains stannous fluoride. 

Other Colgate products that use sodium fluoride or monofluorophosphate are not affected and considered safe for regular use.

What symptoms have users reported?

Patients have reported:

• burning or tingling in lips, gums, or tongue
• blisters, ulcers, and redness inside the mouth
• numbness of soft tissues
• swelling in lips, gums, or cheeks

Some testimonials on Reddit and local forums say:

• “My mouth burned, and my lips swelled. I had painful sores.”
• “Tingling, pain, and numbness after using it for a week.”

We can say that mild irritation might be a normal response when trying a new product, as the mouth may need time to adapt. However, if the symptoms persist or get worse, it’s a clear red flag that shouldn’t be ignored.

How can I tell if my toothpaste is causing a reaction?

To determine if your toothpaste might be causing a reaction, pay attention to warning signs like:

• burning or discomfort that doesn’t go away
• blisters, sores, or open wounds in the mouth
• unusual numbness of the lips or tongue
• changes in the color, texture, or swelling of the gums

If you notice any of these signs shortly after starting a new toothpaste, stop using it immediately, report the issue to the manufacturer, and consult your dentist.

What actions have health authorities taken?

• Brazil (ANVISA): banned Colgate Total Clean Mint in March 2025.
• Colombia (INVIMA): issued a public health alert but has not withdrawn the product.
• Ecuador (ARCSA): launched an investigation and is monitoring the product.
• Venezuela: issued a recommendation to stop using this specific formula.

What should consumers do now?

If you’re currently using Colgate Total Clean Mint or any toothpaste containing stannous fluoride, here’s what you should do:

1. Stop using it immediately if you experience any symptoms.
2. Switch to a formula with sodium fluoride or monofluorophosphate.
3. Report your experience to the manufacturer and your country’s health authority.
4. Consult your dentist if irritation continues.
5. Pay close attention to any reactions in the first few days of use.

What safer alternatives are recommended?

If you’re loyal to the Colgate brand but want to avoid the Total Clean Mint formula, you can switch to safer options that don’t contain stannous fluoride, such as:

• Colgate Max Fresh
• Colgate Cavity Protection
• Colgate Sensitive Prevent and Repair

These formulas contain sodium fluoride and have not been linked to any adverse health reports.

Other brands also offer gentle, complete protection for daily use:

• Crest Pro‑Health (with stabilized stannous fluoride, it’s less likely to irritate)
• Tom’s of Maine (with fluoride, but no stannous fluoride)
• Sensodyne Pronamel or Hello (great for sensitive mouths)

Always check the ingredient label to see which type of fluoride is used.

What about children?

Children may be more sensitive to fluoride formulas and are at risk of fluorosis if they swallow toothpaste.

For children, it’s best to:

• use fluoride toothpaste made specifically for kids
• supervise brushing to avoid swallowing
• use only a pea-sized amount
• consider stannous fluoride-free formulas if your child has a sensitive mouth.

Conclusion: are Colgate toothpastes dangerous?

Stannous fluoride is not dangerous on its own. It has been used safely in many toothpastes for years.

What’s concerning in the case of Colgate Total Clean Mint is the specific combination of ingredients and the possible lack of stabilization in its formula, which may trigger reactions in people with sensitive mouths.

The most important thing is to stay informed, read ingredient labels, and never ignore symptoms. If you notice irritation, ulcers, or any unusual reaction while using this toothpaste, stop immediately and switch to a safer alternative.