Chewingum, toothpaste.. Are there any I should avoid?

[Ian67]

[meanioni]

I had occasional issues with toothpaste and discovered that many contain wheat. I use Kingfisher toothpastes now which are gluten free.

You can buy them in Holland and Barrett.

[meanioni]

Off the top of my head, er struggling. I tended to go for minty, minty toothpastes so think it was either Ultrabrite or Macleans. Haven't looked lately so they may be more coeliac friendly now but weren't when I investigated some years ago.

I know toothpaste does sound a bit extreme but there were days when my diet was "pure" and I still got reactions. By trial and error we worked out to be toothpaste and after changing I was better.

[meanioni]

And re chewing gum, don't use it but have been offered it and from memory when looking at packets believe that a number of popular brands have starch or modified starch in them. So check the label.

[Lynxcat]

Hi Ian67, Firstly - if you really, really have to have chewing gum then steer away from those that are man made because they are made from a sort of polymer. This my daughter once said to me 'is really like chewing the underlay of a carpet!' Oh how those words have stuck in my brain!! To this, they may add anything ..

Traditional chewing gums are still available that are all natural. It is usual for the natural ones of today to use 'Rainforest Chicle.' This is a sort of rubber or latex that oozes from Sapodilla trees. Rice syrup is added to the thick chicle gum base and flavouring - this makes it smoother and of course gives it flavour. There are a few natural ones on the market. I personally do not use chewing gum but have found a UK source which is listed as Peppersmith - this is listed on their website as safe for coeliacs and is traditional with no petrol chemicals.

[Lynxcat in reply to Lynxcat]

According to the little knowledge I have acquired on toothpaste Colgate and Sensodyne Pro enamel are gluten free. Here is a link to a US 'Celiac' forum where various brands are discussed:

celiac.com/gluten-free/topi...