ELI5 Why does toothpaste and mouthwash give that intense cold and sometimes spicy feeling in your mouth, when it isn’t actually cold or spicy?

Question

ELI5 Why does toothpaste and mouthwash give that intense cold and sometimes spicy feeling in your mouth, when it isn’t actually cold or spicy?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

The neurons that are sensitive to cold are also triggered by the presence of the flavour compound menthol.

So a drop of menthol mouthwash on your tongue sends basically the same message to your brain as a drop of cold water would.