However, it’s important to identify the root cause of your sensitivity to prevent potential long-term issues. If your dentist confirms no underlying issues, a sensitive toothpaste may be a good option if your symptoms are becoming bothersome. How to choose a sensitive toothpaste Decide whether to go for SLS-Free. This is worth considering if you suffer from sore gums or ulcers. I go into more detail in my post on the best SLS-Free toothpastes. Finally, if you have tried many different options and they aren’t helping, there are some specialist products you can get on prescription from your dentist or buy directly from your dentist’s office. Arginine is an essential amino acid, actually found naturally within the body. However the doses found in saliva are much lower than those found in toothpastes. Actual whitening treatments can cause tooth sensitivity, but what about whitening toothpastes you can use at home? Well bear in mind that these will only remove stains, and will not lighten the overall colour of your teeth. But they may still give you the results you want.

If one particular paste doesn’t work, don’t fear – there are plenty more to try. For some people it is simply a case of trial and error to find the perfect sensitive toothpaste. Look at the active ingredients. In the US Sensodyne and Pronamel have one of two active ingredients: potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride or Novamin. I have split these into a helpful table below. If one ingredient isn’t working for you, try switching to the other. The active ingredient is the main difference with the pastes. In case none of the products from our list above appeal to you, here are some additional sensitive toothpastes to consider.Avoid over brushing. Being mindful of how you brush to make sure you do not press too hard with the brush. Using an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can help to monitor this. Sensodyne is known for its sensitivity toothpastes, but they use two different active ingredients: stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate. I have included Sensodyne Daily Care here as it is one of the cheapest potassium nitrate containing toothpastes. Beware of abrasiveness with whitening toothpastes, which could make any existing sensitivity worse. But the following toothpastes contain active ingredients to help control tooth sensitivity whilst also improving appearance: You may want to avoid stannous fluoride containing toothpastes if you are concerned about staining. Generally, stannous fluoride is linked to staining on teeth, also manufacturers claim they can reduce this effect with the correct formulation.

It takes time for potassium nitrate to work, so there is no instant relief. You need to use these products for a few weeks to see if they work for you, and if they do help – do not stop using them! Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste (Original, Repair & Prevent, Enamel Repair, Extra Strength, Smart White All Sensodyne toothpastes contain either stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate and are useful if you suffer from sensitive teeth. Can sensitive toothpaste cause sensitive teeth? Using a sensitive toothpaste may not be necessary if you only experience occasional sensitivity, but it is generally safe and effective. The main downside is that they tend to be more expensive than a regular toothpaste.

Dental treatment: Tooth whitening can cause temporary sensitivity. Professional cleaning and fillings can also lead to sensitivity.

To put it bluntly, there isn’t one single best Sensodyne toothpaste. Other than two different active ingredients, there isn’t an awful lot of difference in the formulations, but there may be a big change in price. The table below shows which pastes contain Stannuous Fluroide, and which ones contain Potassium Nitrate. Stannous Fluoride Gum health is key. Avoid gum disease to avoid gum recession. Brush twice daily and use some form of interdental cleaning every day. Yes, toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth do work, but you may need to try different active ingredients to find one that works for you. Are there any other products that could help with sensitivity? They are non abrasive (to avoid worsening any tooth wear related sensitivity). This means an RDA of 250 or below.Take home pastes. Contain stronger concentrations of ingredients, or ingredients not available in normal stores.

Unfortunately, there are very few toothpastes on the US market which do contain arginine, so choice is limited. However you may also be able to buy arginine-containing products at your dentist’s office to take home. Calcium and Phosphate IonsA short, sharp pain from the tooth in response to being exposed to hot and cold, or sometimes to sweet and spicy foods. Sometimes the sensitivity also occurs when the tooth is touched, e.g. when brushing the teeth. What causes tooth sensitivity? In terms of managing the sensitivity with toothpastes, you will need to give whatever paste you are using some time to work – about 2-4 weeks. If you are still getting symptoms after this it might be because the product isn’t working for you and then it is time to try something different.