Is it okay to put toothpaste on an open wound?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, putting toothpaste on an open wound or burn is a common myth that can do more harm than good. This persistent misconception is dangerous, and it is absolutely not okay to put toothpaste on an open wound due to its harmful ingredients and non-sterile nature.

Quick Summary

You should never put toothpaste on an open wound as it can intensify pain, increase infection risk, and damage healthy tissue. The chemicals, abrasives, and non-sterile nature of toothpaste can severely hinder the healing process, making proper first-aid procedures crucial for safe and effective recovery.

Key Points

Do not use toothpaste: Applying toothpaste to an open wound can cause severe irritation, chemical burns, and an increased risk of infection.
Ingredient risks: Toothpaste contains abrasives, detergents (like SLS), and flavorings that are harmful to soft, sensitive skin tissue.
Infection risk: An open toothpaste tube is not sterile and can introduce bacteria directly into the wound, trapping it under the applied layer.
Proper first aid is simple: For minor wounds, the correct procedure is to clean with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage.
Avoid other harmful remedies: Myths about using butter, hydrogen peroxide, or leaving wounds open to air are also false and can cause harm.
Know when to get help: Seek medical attention for deep wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, animal bites, or signs of infection.

Why toothpaste is dangerous for open wounds

Despite the popular, long-standing myth, toothpaste is not a safe remedy for cuts, burns, or other open wounds. The primary reason is that toothpaste is formulated for teeth, which are hard and resilient, not for soft, sensitive, and damaged skin. The ingredients that clean your teeth can cause serious harm when applied to a wound, introducing risks like infection, chemical burns, and severe irritation.

Harmful ingredients in toothpaste

Your typical tube of toothpaste contains an array of chemicals, many of which are completely inappropriate for open flesh. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most harmful components:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): This foaming agent is a common detergent that can be very harsh on skin. When applied to an open wound, it can cause severe irritation and inflammation, damaging surrounding tissue.
Abrasives (e.g., Calcium Carbonate): Toothpaste contains abrasives to scrub away plaque. Rubbing these harsh particles into an open wound can cause significant damage and introduce foreign debris.
Mint/Flavoring Agents (e.g., Menthol): The cooling sensation from mint is meant for your mouth, but on a wound, it can feel like intense burning. This can also mask more severe symptoms and cause further irritation.
Other Potential Allergens: Ingredients like artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives can cause allergic contact dermatitis, leading to rashes, swelling, and itching.

Risk of infection

An open wound is a direct entry point for bacteria into your body. Toothpaste is not a sterile product. The moment you open the tube and use it, it is exposed to bacteria. By applying it to a wound, you are effectively introducing a non-sterile substance, along with any bacteria present on the applicator or tube, straight into your body, significantly increasing the risk of infection.

Sealing in heat and bacteria

This is particularly critical for burns, which are a common reason people consider using toothpaste. A burn traps heat in the skin, and applying a thick, occlusive substance like toothpaste can seal that heat in, causing deeper tissue damage. Instead of soothing the burn, it creates a barrier that holds in heat and bacteria, slowing the healing process and increasing the risk of scarring.

Proper first aid for minor open wounds

For minor cuts and scrapes, proper care can prevent infection and promote healing. Here are the correct steps:

Wash your hands. Always start with clean hands to prevent introducing new bacteria to the wound.
Stop the bleeding. Apply gentle, firm pressure with a clean cloth or bandage until the bleeding stops.
Clean the wound. Gently rinse the wound with clean, cool, running water. Wash around the area with mild soap, but avoid getting soap directly into the wound. Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as these can damage tissue and delay healing.
Apply an antibiotic ointment. A thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly can keep the wound moist, which promotes faster healing and helps prevent scarring.
Cover the wound. Use a sterile bandage or dressing to keep the wound clean and protected from dirt and bacteria.
Change the dressing regularly. Change the bandage at least once a day, or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.

Comparison: Toothpaste vs. proper wound care

This table outlines the key differences between the harmful myth of using toothpaste on wounds and the medically recommended approach.


Feature	Toothpaste on Wound (Myth)	Proper Wound Care (Fact)
Effect on Pain	Can increase pain with irritating ingredients like mint.	Reduces pain by cooling burns with water and managing minor issues with proper dressing.
Infection Risk	High; introduces bacteria and non-sterile substances.	Low; focuses on sterile cleaning and protecting the wound from pathogens.
Healing Process	Impedes healing by causing irritation and sealing in heat/bacteria.	Promotes faster healing by maintaining a moist, clean environment.
Tissue Damage	Can cause chemical burns and damage healthy tissue.	Protects healthy tissue by avoiding harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide.
Scarring	Increases the risk of scarring due to irritation and delayed healing.	Minimizes scarring by promoting a proper, moist healing environment.

When to seek medical attention

While basic first aid is sufficient for most minor wounds, some situations require professional medical care. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

The wound is deep, gaping, or has jagged edges.
Bleeding does not stop after several minutes of applying pressure.
The wound is the result of a puncture, animal bite, or a contaminated object.
There are signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, or a fever.
You have a severe burn, covering a large area, or located on a sensitive part of the body like the face or joints.

Other debunked home remedies for wounds

Toothpaste isn't the only traditional home remedy that is actually harmful. Others include:

Butter: Applying butter or other greasy substances to a burn can trap heat and bacteria, leading to a higher risk of infection and slower healing.
Hydrogen Peroxide: This harsh antiseptic can damage the healthy skin cells that are essential for the healing process.
Letting it “air out”: Leaving a wound uncovered exposes it to dirt, germs, and dryness, all of which delay healing. Covering it with a clean bandage is far more effective.
Ice: Applying ice directly to a burn can cause frostnip and decrease blood flow to the area, further damaging tissue. Cool running water is the correct approach.

For more detailed information on proper wound care, consult trusted health resources like the Mayo Clinic's guidelines.

Conclusion

While the belief that toothpaste can heal open wounds or burns is a deeply ingrained folk remedy, it is medically unsound and potentially dangerous. The ingredients are designed for teeth, not skin, and can cause irritation, infection, and tissue damage. Sticking to proven first-aid protocols—like cleaning with soap and water, applying an antibiotic ointment, and covering the wound—is the safest and most effective way to promote proper healing and avoid complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toothpaste is bad for open wounds because it contains harsh, non-sterile ingredients like abrasives, detergents (SLS), and flavorings that are designed for teeth, not sensitive skin. These can cause irritation, chemical burns, trap bacteria, and significantly increase the risk of infection and scarring.

Applying toothpaste to a burn can trap heat underneath the skin, making the burn worse. It can also irritate the wound, increase the risk of infection from bacteria in the toothpaste, and lead to more severe scarring.

For minor open wounds, the best approach is to clean the area gently with mild soap and water, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly, and cover with a sterile bandage to keep it protected and moist.

Yes, toothpaste contains ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate and other chemicals that can be too harsh for sensitive skin. When applied to an open wound, it can cause severe irritation and a type of chemical burn.

No, putting toothpaste on a cut will not help it heal faster. Instead, it will impede the natural healing process by irritating the tissue, increasing inflammation, and introducing bacteria that can cause infection.

For a minor cut, first wash your hands, then stop any bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth. After that, clean the wound with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a bandage.

No, this is a common myth. A covered, moist wound environment promotes faster and more efficient healing by protecting it from bacteria and allowing new skin cells to grow properly.