Have you ever felt a sudden sharp pain in your teeth while eating ice cream, taking a sip of a hot drink, or whitening your teeth? Sensitive teeth experiences can be quite uncomfortable, especially if it becomes constant when you consume hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks.
Dental sensitivity is typically the result of worn tooth enamel and gum recession. Other causes of tooth discomfort include cavities, a chipped tooth, brushing too hard, teeth grinding, or gum disease. While your treatment depends on the cause, brushing twice a day, every day, and using the right toothbrush with a desensitizing toothpaste is an easy way to alleviate symptoms.
With so many toothpaste brands in the market—each with their own use claims—how do you know which one to choose to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth?
Which Toothpaste is Best for Sensitive Teeth?
When exploring various toothpastes for sensitive teeth, there are three active ingredients to look for—potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, and strontium chloride. These ingredients work together to act as a shield to protect the exposed soft, inner part of your tooth called dentin. When a desensitizing toothpaste is used consistently, the nerves in your teeth then build up a resistance to sensitivity aggravators like heat, cold, and sugar.
Additionally, Smile dentists use and recommend toothpaste that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This means the dental product has been evaluated by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs and demonstrated its safety and efficacy for consumers. The approved toothpastes with sensitivity control include:
- Colgate Total SF
- Crest Gum & Breath Purify, Enamel Repair, Sensitivity, and Detoxify
- Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, Advanced Antibacterial Protection, Complete Protection, and Gum Restore
- CVS Health Maximum Strength Sensitive Toothpaste with Fluoride
- Hello Sensitivity Relief
- Sensodyne Toothpaste
Proper oral hygiene is key to preventing sensitive-tooth pain. If you do have discomfort with hot or cold foods or are concerned about tooth sensitivity, talk with your Smile dentist or hygienist at your next routine dental appointment.