From this article you will learn:
- causes of hypersensitivity of human teeth,
- best toothpaste for sensitive teeth,
- analysis of paste compositions, rating 2022.
Toothpaste can act not only as a means for cleaning teeth, but also, thanks to the inclusion of a number of active ingredients, help reduce tooth hypersensitivity, relieve inflammation in the gums, and also help strengthen tooth enamel. With increased tooth sensitivity, pain usually occurs in response to thermal and mechanical stimuli - cold, hot, when touching the teeth with a toothbrush, and sometimes even from sweets.
In most cases, this problem can be solved at home, using special toothpastes for sensitive teeth, as well as by applying gels containing one of the fluoride compounds to the necks of teeth. Pastes and gels from different manufacturers, due to their different compositions, differ in their effectiveness, and in this article we will analyze the composition of the most popular products for relieving hypersensitivity of tooth enamel.
Causes of hypersensitivity development –
First of all, this problem is associated with the thinning of the enamel layer in the area of the necks of the teeth, or with the exposure of the roots of the teeth and the thinning of the “cement” layer located on their surface.
As a result, a deeper layer of tooth tissue is exposed - dentin, which is located immediately under the enamel and cement. Dentin microscopically consists of dentinal tubes in which fluid circulates. If the dentin is not covered with enamel and cement on top, then thermal and other irritants can sharply increase the speed of fluid flow through the dentinal tubules, which ultimately leads to irritation of the nerve endings in the dental pulp and the occurrence of pain. The trigger for the development of pain (in the presence of dentin exposure) can be the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, the use of whitening toothpastes, etc.
ROCS Sensitive
Dentists advise some patients to undergo ultrasonic teeth cleaning. This is a modern procedure, after which the patient must carefully care for the oral cavity using a special product. For those clients who suffer from allergies, it is often recommended to use ROCS Sensitive as there is no fluoride in the mixture. The product is suitable for patients who do not have a deficiency of this element in the body. The abrasiveness of this product is lower than that of many daily hygiene products. This means that the abrasion of the enamel will be minimal, the crowns and dentin will not be injured. With this care, incisors, canines, and molars will look beautiful, without carious damage. The composition of the paste quickly normalizes the microflora of the oral cavity.
Calcium glycerophosphate restores the structure of the chewing organs well and saturates the crowns with useful minerals. Hyperemia is quickly eliminated with the help of hydroxyapatite particles. All defects on the crowns are instantly sealed. Xylitol and magnesium have a beneficial effect on enamel.
How to choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth -
Toothpastes for relieving tooth sensitivity (hypersthesia) have specific characteristics. Firstly, toothpaste for sensitive teeth usually has a fairly low abrasiveness within the RDA range of 25 to 35 (RDA - abrasiveness index). For example, for ordinary therapeutic and prophylactic toothpastes the RDA index is 75, and for whitening pastes it is usually 100-120.
The second important point to pay attention to is the active components. Different manufacturers use ingredients that are different from each other, which have different mechanisms for reducing tooth sensitivity, and as a result, have different effectiveness and different speed of onset of effect. Based on the mechanism of action, the following groups of components can be distinguished...
Active components in toothpastes for sensitive teeth -
- Potassium nitrate, potassium chloride - these components block the transmission of nerve impulses.
The transmission of nerve impulses is based on the exchange of potassium ions (located inside nerve cells) with sodium ions located outside the nerve. By increasing the concentration of potassium ions around the nerve endings, we disrupt this exchange, which leads to the absence of pain in the teeth - in response to thermal and mechanical stimuli. The advantage of these components is that the effect of their use develops very quickly. However, the result will last as long as you use them. Thus, potassium nitrate and chloride can quickly relieve pain, but they do not eliminate the very cause of hyperesthesia.
- Fluorides, strontium chloride, zinc citrate, hydroxyapatite - these components affect precisely the cause of the development of dental hypersensitivity - the accelerated movement of fluid in the dentinal tubules, which leads to irritation of the nerve endings.
Fluoride compounds (sodium fluoride, aminofluoride, monofluorophosphate), strontium chloride, zinc citrate, hydroxyapatite - all of them clog the dentinal tubules, preventing the movement of fluid in them. In addition, strontium chloride also promotes the deposition of replacement dentin and the compaction of its structure, which also helps reduce hypersensitivity. However, the downside of all these components is that the effect from their use develops more slowly than from the use of potassium nitrate or potassium chloride.
- Arginine and calcium carbonate combination - a combination of Arginine (an amino acid) and calcium carbonate in toothpaste - is also very effective in treating dental hypersensitivity.
Arginine facilitates the deposition of a layer of calcium carbonate on the surface of the teeth, which in turn stimulates the deposition of phosphates on the surface of exposed dentin and in the dentinal tubules, contributing to their clogging and reducing the movement of fluid in them. However, although it reduces sensitivity well, it does not solve the problem of demineralization of enamel and dentin. It should be noted here that the layer of calcium carbonate with arginine will be inactive, and calcium from this layer will not penetrate into the hard tissues of the teeth. This distinguishes arginine carbonate pastes from pastes with fluorides, after the use of which an active layer of calcium fluoride (CaF2) is created on the tooth surface. In addition to the fact that CaF2 also clogs the dentinal tubules on the surface of exposed dentin, calcium and fluoride from this layer are able to penetrate into the hard tissues of the teeth, strengthening them.
Conclusions -
Precisely because some components are capable of providing an immediate effect, while others (although their effect develops slowly, they eliminate precisely the cause of pain) - most toothpastes for sensitivity are made with a combined composition. Where potassium nitrate quickly relieves pain, and fluorides, hydroxyapatite, strontium chloride, or a combination of arginine and calcium carbonate clog exposed dentinal tubules.
However, there are also effective monocomponent products for use at home. Such products contain a very high concentration, usually of only one component, for example, potassium nitrate or sodium fluoride. In this way, they resemble professional means for reducing sensitivity that dentists use in their work. Examples of such gels are PRESIDENT Sensitive Plus and Colgate® Duraphat. How they can help you - read below.
Lacalut Extra Sensitive
Such toothpastes are very popular for reducing tooth sensitivity. Its main advantage is action in several directions simultaneously.
- The mixture blocks nerve endings, which reduces pain.
- The product saturates the enamel structures with useful elements.
After use, the surface of the crowns is covered with a protective film, which remains on the chewing organs for several hours. This helps fluoride penetrate deep into the enamel. Vulnerability quickly normalizes, and the risk of developing caries decreases. In addition to the optimal fluoride content, this paste is saturated with many beneficial minerals. Among them are potassium and sodium fluoride. The composition is selected to reduce hyperesthesia.
Toothbrushes for sensitive teeth –
In cases where the touch of the toothbrush bristles to the necks of the teeth causes pain and discomfort, it is recommended to use special toothbrushes with soft bristles when brushing your teeth. These brushes are marked “Soft”. They also differ from ordinary toothbrushes in that each bristle has a rounded or very thin atraumatic tip.
Price for toothbrushes for sensitive teeth –
- SENSODYNE Sensitive toothbrush – from 160 rubles,
- LACALUT Sensitive toothbrush – from 190 rubles.
Important: use this brush only in cases where pain occurs when touching your teeth with a regular toothbrush. They cannot be used on an ongoing basis, because... Brushes with soft bristles remove microbial plaque from teeth much worse than brushes with medium hardness, and therefore, with prolonged use, plaque and tartar may accumulate on the teeth.
The best toothpastes for sensitive teeth from Russian manufacturers
A number of Russian manufacturers also specialize in producing toothpastes for sensitive teeth.
SPLAT Sensitive
Rating: 4.9
SPLAT Sensitive paste effectively regenerates enamel and reduces tooth sensitivity. Its main component is hydroxyapatite. It acts like a filling due to the fact that it penetrates deeply into problematic enamel fragments and strengthens it. Other natural components have an antibacterial, antiseptic effect, reduce bleeding gums and cleanse plaque.
The consistency of SPLAT Sensitive is thick. The color is pale yellow, reminiscent of white chocolate. The paste foams weakly, but this is quite enough for high-quality teeth cleaning. The taste is neutral with faint minty notes. SPLAT Sensitive provides gentle cleansing of enamel, exhibits good anti-inflammatory properties and safely whitens.
In reviews, consumers note that they like the absence of harmful components in this product (SLES, parabens, chemical bleaches). SPLAT Sensitive really eliminates increased sensitivity of teeth in the shortest possible time. It has a light taste and optimal foaming. But in terms of whitening and freshening breath, it does not perform well.
Advantages
- good composition;
- safe for health;
- makes enamel less sensitive;
- optimal foaming.
Flaws
- weakly refreshing;
- the whitening is hardly noticeable.
MEXIDOL dent Sensitive
Rating: 4.8
MEXIDOL dent Sensitive cleanser is great for those who not only suffer from hypersensitivity, but also have bleeding gums. The paste contains potassium nitrate, which is good for relieving pain in teeth with exposed necks and damaged enamel. MEXIDOL dent Sensitive also contains no fluoride.
The product is low-abrasive, so the cleaning process is comfortable and non-traumatic. The paste is gel-like, pale pink in color with a subtle mint aroma. It doesn't foam much when brushing your teeth, and leaves a slightly sweet mint taste when brushing. The aroma lingers in the mouth for a short time.
According to reviews, MEXIDOL dent Sensitive qualitatively but gently cleanses plaque. Reduces pain in sensitive tooth enamel and gums. Xylitol present in the composition protects against the development of caries. But the presence of parabens stops some from using it.
Advantages
- low abrasiveness;
- useful components in the composition;
- does not produce much foam;
- pleasant taste;
- fights tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums.
Flaws
- contains parabens.
Tips for reducing tooth sensitivity
You should not only choose the right composition for oral care, but also skillfully use the chosen product. There are several rules to consider when cleaning sensitive enamel:
- Do not expect an immediate effect from using the drug. The result of the treatment will be noticeable only after 1-2 weeks, depending on the brand of the product.
- Keep the paste on the enamel surface for some time to achieve the best effect from its use.
- Do not use gels for sensitive teeth on an ongoing basis, since their low degree of abrasiveness does not allow them to fully cope with plaque and food debris.
It should also be taken into account that the group of drugs in question can mask the beginning signs of the disease. Also during therapy you should reduce the amount of acidic, hot and cold foods you consume.
Rules for choosing a drug
When choosing suitable dental care products, it is better to consult a specialist. He will select a remedy taking into account the patient’s problems and the degree of their manifestation.
When choosing a drug yourself, you need to pay attention to several nuances:
What to do if a tooth reacts to sweets
- The presence of a mark on the packaging stating that the drug is therapeutic and prophylactic and is intended only for sensitive enamel.
- The optimal level of abrasiveness of the paste is from 25 to 40.
- It is desirable that the product contains biologically active additives: strontium, zinc, fluorides. Thanks to this, the paste will have a comprehensive effect on oral care.
- Lack of simultaneous inclusion of calcium and fluorine. When interacting, the components turn into salts, which reduces the effectiveness of each of them. It is advisable that the preparations contain only one ingredient. It is effective to alternate products with fluoride and calcium separately.
- No aggressive components in the composition: triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, acids. These substances aggravate the course of hyperesthesia.
Also, when choosing products to care for sensitive teeth, pay attention to the consistency of the product: it should be gel. Such pastes have more pronounced healing characteristics.
It is better to give preference to well-known brands, such as Splat, Sensodyne, Lakalut, which have been producing oral care products for many years
It is not recommended to use products for sensitive enamel for a long time, as they have low cleaning ability. Regular use of drugs can lead to the formation of tartar and other related problems. It is best to use this paste while brushing your teeth in the evening, and use other formulations in the morning. You can be treated with a paste for sensitive enamel in courses with breaks.