“Can a toothpaste help with tooth sensitivity?”
I am suffering from severe sensitivity of my teeth every time I have something cold or very hot. I have seen commercials that show how a toothpaste can help in fighting tooth sensitivity. Is it possible?
29 Answers
You need to first get the cause diagnosed by a dentist. It may be cavity, gum recession, cracked tooth, tooth wearing and more. The diagnosis will determine the treatment
There ARE toothpastes which can statistically lower tooth sensitivity. The standard of the industry is the "Sensodyne" brand of toothpaste. Their most recent product is called "Rapid" and my patients say it works. That being said, tooth hot or cold symptoms are just that: symptoms of a problem with a tooth or teeth. The simplest problem here would be a cavity which can be fixed. Dentists always perk up their ears when the patient says their teeth are "hot" sensitive. Heat sensitivity is frequently related to nerve damage. My advice is to 1) get the "Rapid" toothpaste product to lessen your symptoms, and 2) make an appointment with your dentist to rule out cavities or dental disease. Cavities are like rust... it only gets worse by ignoring it.
Less likely
Yes, try Sensodyne, but give it at least a couple of weeks before you see the effect.
There are several toothpastes for tooth sensitivity. What you should first do is see a Dentist to be sure that there isn't any underlying problem causing the discomfort.
Yes, several kinds of toothpaste with stannous/sodium fluoride and/or potassium nitrate can help reduce tooth sensitivity. Ex. Colgate Sensitive or Sensodyne Proenamel.
Some toothpaste may reduce the sensitivity, however, there may be some other reasons why the teeth are sensitive. A thorough examination is advise to eliminate something like a cavity and a Digital Occlusal Analysis, with T-Scan, is recommended to evaluate the occlusion. The occlusion could be the reason why the teeth are sensitive!
There are specific toothpastes that help with sensitivity such as Sensodyne and Colgate for sensitive teeth. There is also a Listerine rinse for sensitive teeth that helps. In general though, you should check with your dentist to see why you are so sensitive and see if there is anything that can be done that is not a band aid treatment.
Yes, there are ingredients in the desensitizing toothpastes that will absorb into the teeth to relieve some of the sensitivity. It needs to be used regularly for a few weeks to start seeing improvements.
Colgate sensitive prorelief is fantastic to reduce sensitivity. Minerals from the ingredients in the paste close the dentenal tubules and enamel. Sensitivity is cut down after 10 days to 1 month with topical application. Much more effective than Sensodyne.
In many cases it is beneficial. There are, not infrequently, teeth which may require more than just desensitization.
Tooth paste formulated to treat tooth sensitivity usually only treat cold sensitivity. A tooth with sensitivity to hot will need other forms of dental care. An evaluation of the problem should be done by your dentist if hot sensitivity exist or cold sensitivity persist after using one of these pastes.
It may be possible to reduce some of the sensitivity with some of these toothpastes. There are prescription strength gels that also may be more effective. Sensitivity may however be symptoms of more serious dental issues such as caries or periodontal issues.
Hello,
Be certain you decrease citrus and acidic frequency. Do not eat or drink citrus over long periods of time and swish with plain water (no lemons or things in it) immediately following or even during consumption of the citrus. Use Sensodyne Essential Care, but remember that it is not tartar control, so brush longer (not harder and NO hard bristles). Do not eat ice.
Be certain you decrease citrus and acidic frequency. Do not eat or drink citrus over long periods of time and swish with plain water (no lemons or things in it) immediately following or even during consumption of the citrus. Use Sensodyne Essential Care, but remember that it is not tartar control, so brush longer (not harder and NO hard bristles). Do not eat ice.
Hi
Using a desensitizing toothpaste does help with sensitivity due to exposed root and/or dentin. However, you will need to visit your dentist for an exam as some sensitivity occur due to cavities. Sensitivity to hot can also indicate an issue with the tooth pulp. To rule out these scenarios a visit with your dentist will help. Using desensitizing toothpaste for exposed root surface or dentin will help, it takes around 4-6 months to feel the effect and you will need to use this toothpaste on a permanent basis! Hope this helps !
Thanks
Using a desensitizing toothpaste does help with sensitivity due to exposed root and/or dentin. However, you will need to visit your dentist for an exam as some sensitivity occur due to cavities. Sensitivity to hot can also indicate an issue with the tooth pulp. To rule out these scenarios a visit with your dentist will help. Using desensitizing toothpaste for exposed root surface or dentin will help, it takes around 4-6 months to feel the effect and you will need to use this toothpaste on a permanent basis! Hope this helps !
Thanks
Toothpastes help with sensitivity on areas of the tooth that has root recessions. These toothpastes work well when used to treat recessions and root exposures. When you mention sensitivity, are you saying you also have hot sensitivity? This indicates that you may have a tooth problem that may indicate that you may have a dead nerve in the tooth. Also, severe sensitivity may indicate that you have a cracked tooth. Either way, you will need a professional to help determine what the problem is before it gets worse.
Not the toothpaste itself, but the ingredients in the toothpaste such as fluoride can be very helpful in decreasing sensitivity. In the office, we do have other products which can be even more helpful. In severe cases, we can even laser the sensitive areas of the teeth, virtually eliminating the problem.
Hi there. Yes, Sensodyne is one of the best brands for tooth sensitivity in the market. However, as indicated on the label, they only work for 3 months!!! You need to consult with your dentist to find out the reason for your sensitivity. It could be malocclusion (bad bite) which needs to be changed orthodontically, it could be gum disease or most commonly, grinding or clenching. Either way, your dentist can help you with the true source of sensitivity.
Best,
RY
Best,
RY
Yes, but first of all you need to know if you don’t have any decay in your teeth, if you grind and clench, and have wear and tear of teeth structure. There are different means of treatment. Toothpaste that is best for sensitivity to my experience is Sensodyne. But if you have the condition I mentioned above, seek a dental professional's help.
Colgate pro relief or sensodyne can help with hypersensitivity. You will notice the difference in about a month with frequent use
Yes using Sensodyne toothpaste can help with temperature sensitivity. If that doesn't lessen the sensitivity if may be due to other factors that would require in person examination.
Yes it is possible. But it is even more possible that another reason may be the source behind your sensitivity. A knowledgeable dental professional needs to be consulted. You may have an incorrect bite that causes trauma to your teeth, making them sensitive to temperature changes. You also might be either clenching and/or grinding your teeth either at night when sleeping, or even during the day. You can try the toothpaste first, but if symptoms persist, seek out a dentist who can diagnose these issues.
Tooth sensitivity to temperature variations can occur for a number of reasons. Most frequently, this is due to exposed dentin of the tooth such as from from exposed tooth roots during gum recession or thinning enamel due to a deficiency of an active remineralization process. Some commercial toothpastes use chemicals that try to block exposed dentinal tubules to decrease sensitivity but this is really treating the symptom and not the cause. The active remineralization process of the tooth takes place when the bacterial community of the mouth (known as the Oral Microbiome) is in balance, and there is a production of saliva from which the bacteria transport ionic minerals from and onto the surface of teeth. I developed a natural toothpaste with this essential remineralization process in mind. It is called REVITIN (www.revitin.com). Using a blend of prebiotics, natural minerals and vitamins, Revitin has been helpful in reducing sensitivity by fostering a healthy ecology in the mouth and respecting your body’s ability to heal itself.
Dr. Gerry Curatola
Dr. Gerry Curatola
Depending on the cause for the sensitivity in the first place, toothpastes may help. If your sensitivity is due to gum recession and/or root exposure from brushing too hard, toothpastes such as Sensodyne may be useful after several days of use. If you do find that the toothpaste is helping you with your sensitivity, keep on using that product. If you stop using the toothpaste, your sensitivity may return. In some cases the sensitivity may be due to abraded root surfaces or due to a cavity or tooth fracture. In these cases, sensitivity toothpastes will not be useful. You will need to see a dentist to help deal with these conditions.
Yes, they can be effective for cold sensitivity, but the onset is very gradual [1-2 weeks]. HOT sensitivity may signify a more involved problem with the tooth and may require a dentist to evaluate. If pain lingers for more than a minute, then you should have that tooth evaluated.
Yes, there are several over-the-counter toothpastes which can help with this problem. They will not help if the problem is due to cavities or an abscess.
Toothpaste with additional protection contain a drug call eugenol which is a sedative of a very mild type the periodontist use when there is excessive recession around the necks of the teeth and the lining of the roots are exposed to overactive Brushing in many cases. This is why dentists recommend a soft bristle brush and proper rolling motion as a part of your Technique rather than a scrubbing or sewing motion with a stiffer brush witch usually results in abrasion of the enamel and erosion of the gum tissue. This may not be noticed in a younger age patient but over a period of years and neglect it's possible that the sensitivity or feeling is a pathologic reaction to actual damage to the structures that surround the rates of the teeth.
Hi there! Unfortunately this is where the lines between marketing and science become quite blurred. In my professional opinion, if you are getting sensitivity to both hot and cold, there is likely a deeper problem that should be looked at by a health professional and is very unlikely to be remedied by sensitive toothpaste. Sensitivity can often be an early warning sign of something more sinister that must be addressed, like an infected tooth.
Hope you find some relief for the sensitivity, all the best.
Dr Rick
Hope you find some relief for the sensitivity, all the best.
Dr Rick
Inderpreet Brar
Dentist
Yes, to some extent, esp if it's generalized and not due to some cavity. But you have to use a special toothpaste like sensodyne.
