If you have pain or tingling when you eat hot or cold foods or use a teeth-whitening product, you may have sensitive teeth, or teeth sensitive to whitening. You can still whiten your teeth by using gentler products, like a sensitive teeth toothpaste.
Using the right sensitive toothpaste can be a convenient and economical way to manage teeth sensitivity, allowing you to continue to indulge in the foods and beverages you enjoy most—including coffee, tea, ice cream and acidic foods.
Reduce Sensitivity with Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste
To help reduce teeth sensitivity, your dental professional may recommend using an over-the-counter sensitive teeth toothpaste like Crest Gum and Sensitivity that desensitizes your teeth by treating sensitivity at the source—your gum line.
There are several at-home teeth-whitening products available for those with teeth sensitive to whitening. If you have teeth sensitive to whitening, a teeth-whitening toothpaste such as Crest Gum and Sensitivity Gentle Whitening may be the best option for you. If you have teeth sensitivity caused by injury (chipped or cracked teeth) or decay (cavities), see your dental professional for proper treatment of your condition before using a sensitive teeth toothpaste or a teeth-whitening toothpaste.
How Does Sensitivity Toothpaste Work?
Sensitivity toothpastes work by either covering up exposed dentinal tubules or by desensitizing the nerve endings in the dentinal tubules. Sensitive toothpastes also contain fluoride, which has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. For a complete oral care routine, combine sensitive toothpaste with an electric toothbrush equipped with a sensitivity mode, a soft-bristled electric toothbrush refill, mouth rinse, and wide, soft dental floss.
Crest Gum and Sensitivity toothpaste offers a shield of protection for sensitive teeth. It starts treating sensitivity immediately at the source by targeting your gum line for clinically proven healthier gums.
How to Choose a Sensitivity Toothpaste
A trip to the local drug store can be overwhelming if you're looking for toothpaste for sensitive teeth. There are options from various companies, each making different claims, so it can be challenging to know which to choose. Here are a few tips to help guide you through the difficult process of selecting toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- Active Ingredients: Look for a toothpaste indicated for sensitive, specifically one that helps treat both gum and tooth sensitivity.
- Name Brand/Manufacturer: There are so many brands out there that you may want to stick with a brand you know and trust, like Crest.
- Cost: Toothpaste for sensitive teeth doesn’t have to cost more than your regular toothpaste. In fact, many toothpastes for sensitive teeth cost around the same as your typical toothpaste.
- ADA Seal of Approval: Many toothpastes for sensitive teeth don't feature the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. However, four Crest Pro-Health toothpastes (Clean Mint, Smooth Peppermint, and Whitening Power) feature ADA acceptance for six important dental benefits: it fights cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, stains and bad breath. All Crest Pro-Health toothpastes are triclosan-free.
According to a survey conducted by the American Dental Association, Crest, and Oral-B, 22 percent of 1,000 Americans aged 18 years and older reported experiencing teeth sensitivity to hot or cold food and liquids. If you have sensitive teeth, you are a perfect candidate for sensitive toothpaste. The right sensitive toothpaste can keep tooth sensitivity from interfering with good oral health. But don’t let sensitive toothpaste substitute for regular dental checkups, because sensitive teeth may be a sign of a more serious dental problem. Be sure to talk to your dentist about products for sensitive teeth.
Sources:
1. https://crest.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/teeth-sensitivity/sensitive-teeth-what-they-mean-causes-home-remedies
2. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20091110/brushing-too-hard-causes-sensitive-teeth?src=rss_investeap
3. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-sensitivity
4. Survey, The Public Speaks Up on Oral Health Care