How does Sensitive Toothpaste work?
If you have sensitive teeth, you know that eating and drinking can be uncomfortable at times. It might be difficult to enjoy ice cream or drink anything too cold or too hot. Thankfully, sensitive toothpaste exists to help significantly reduce the annoying and uncomfortable feeling caused by sensitive teeth.
You have likely used sensitive toothpaste and discovered it works amazingly, but have you ever wondered, 'how does this wonderful product work?'
First, we have to talk about the cause of sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is caused by a hypersensitive tooth nerve. That can mean you have gum recession caused by clenching or grinding your teeth, by brushing too hard or having gum disease. When you have gum recession, food that is hot, cold, sweet or spicy can stimulate that exposed nerve and trigger a painful, or uncomfortable sensation. A chipped tooth can expose the soft dentin layer of the tooth making it more susceptible to pain, and cavities in the teeth also expose the soft inner layer.
There are two ways to reduce tooth sensitivity. First, you can numb the nerve of the tooth or you can block and cover the areas that are sensitive. Sensitive toothpaste blocks the areas that are sensitive.
How does sensitive toothpaste block the sensitive areas of your teeth? With potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. The potassium nitrate in some toothpaste brands will numb the nerves of the teeth so you can go about eating and drinking what you like without the fear. Strontium chloride particles plug up the pores on the dentin, which results in less sensitive teeth. Both are excellent options. Relief should start immediately and increase in efficacy within two weeks of use, with prolonged use, brushing twice a day, you can expect to find your teeth much less susceptible to hypersensitivity.
To find out which sensitive toothpaste is for you, ask your dentist at your next visit or give us a call today at (613) 258-7373!