Mucus-y lips?

August 19, 2008 1:11 PM

The last few days I've noticed that my lips, mainly the in-my-mouth part, have been feeling kind of numb after I brush my teeth, and they have like a sticky, mucus-y membrane on them all day, as well. Don't think I've ever had this before...any ideas on what this is and how to get rid of it?
posted by rbf1138 to health & fitness (11 comments total)

Have you changed brands of toothpaste recently?
posted by Class Goat at 1:16 PM on August 19, 2008

Is it whiteish? It could be a yeast infection...they are common in the mouth...although i don't know about the numbness.
posted by Waterbear at 1:18 PM on August 19, 2008

Are you using Crest ProHealth?
posted by desuetude at 1:36 PM on August 19, 2008

Apparently there is strontium chloride and/or potassium nitrate in toothpaste which can cause numbness.
posted by allelopath at 1:39 PM on August 19, 2008

allelopath, those compounds are only in pain relieving or sensitive toothpastes, like Sensodyne or Arm & Hammer Sensitive. They're meant to cause numbness.
posted by scruss at 1:46 PM on August 19, 2008

It could be your toothpaste. I think Crest Pro Health paste and mouthwash made some people's tongues and mouths numb. But if not, I often get this when I have some sort of infection (like strep throat or some other cold-inducing or stomach-flu inducing thing). Sometimes it's my only symptom or a harbinger of a sore throat to come.
posted by bluefly at 1:51 PM on August 19, 2008

If it's Pro-Health, read the amazon reviews... this can also happen from some hydrogen peroxide-based mouthwashes.
posted by for_serious at 1:54 PM on August 19, 2008

Ah, must be the Pro Health! Thanks!
posted by rbf1138 at 1:55 PM on August 19, 2008

Nthing Crest Pro Health, especially in combination with Listerine whitening mouthwash.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 3:25 PM on August 19, 2008

Nthing crest pro heath, but only to add that you do get used to it about halfway down the tube, and it's not as bad as it is at first. I HATED that crap and the funny texture it seemed to leave behind, but I hardly notice it anymore.
posted by blackunicorn at 3:34 PM on August 19, 2008

I suffered through a whole tube of ProHealth before putting my foot (er toothbrush) down and mandating that it was Never To Be The House Toothpaste Again. Leaves a bizarre, unpleasant taste in my mouth as well as the slime issue.
posted by desuetude at 10:24 AM on August 20, 2008