Which toothpaste to choose for sensitive teeth?

Which toothpaste to choose for sensitive teeth?

Photo: freepik.com/Freepik

Tooth sensitivity is a widespread problem that causes sudden discomfort or sharp pain when enjoying hot, cold, sweet or sour foods, yet proper oral care can significantly relieve these symptoms. To get rid of the unpleasant sensations and strengthen tooth enamel, it is recommended to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth in daily brushing.

About how to properly care for your teeth to reduce sensitivity and why the composition of toothpaste is so important – Ieva Breča, dentist at the Adoria Health and Beauty Centre, explains in the rest of the article.

In this article you will learn:

• Causes of sensitivity: which daily habits contribute to tooth sensitivity.
• Ingredient analysis: which active substances in toothpaste are effective in reducing tooth sensitivity.
• Abrasiveness and whitening: why strong whitening agents and abrasive toothpastes can significantly worsen the condition of sensitive teeth.

Why does tooth sensitivity occur and how do daily habits affect it?

To understand which toothpaste to choose, it is first essential to understand the causes that trigger increased tooth sensitivity. Inside the tooth there is dentin – a porous layer containing thousands of microscopic tubules that lead directly to the tooth's nerve centre, or pulp. In a healthy tooth, the dentin is covered by hard enamel in the crown area or by gums in the root area.

At the moment when the enamel layer becomes thinner or the gums recede, the dentin tubules become exposed. External irritants – cold air, hot tea or a sour fruit – irritate the nerve through these tubules, causing sharp pain. This process is promoted by various factors – not only obvious damage, but also specific daily habits.

• Aggressive tooth brushing (abrasion): excessively aggressive tooth brushing or the use of a toothbrush with hard bristles causes mechanical enamel wear and traumatises the soft tissues, thus promoting gum recession, or receding.
• The effect of acidic products (erosion): regular consumption of carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, juices or even marinades creates an acidic environment that chemically dissolves enamel minerals, making it thinner and more vulnerable.
• Teeth grinding, or bruxism: often unconscious teeth grinding or strong clenching (especially during sleep or moments of stress) creates microcracks in the enamel, through which irritation reaches the nerve.
• Gum recession: as a result of gum disease or ageing, the gums recede, exposing the neck of the tooth root. Since the root part of the tooth is not covered by the hard enamel layer, it is much more vulnerable and sensitive to the surrounding environment.
• The use of whitening agents: aggressive whitening pastes or home whitening kits can temporarily open the dentin tubules and irritate the pulp, causing chemical sensitivity.
• Plaque accumulation: insufficient hygiene can also cause sensitivity, because the bacteria in the plaque release acids that irritate both the gums and the tooth surface.

First of all, it is important to correct your daily habits. But the next most important step is precisely a properly selected toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which helps reduce daily discomfort and protect tooth enamel from further damage.

How does toothpaste for sensitive teeth work and what are its functions?

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Specialised dental care products are not just a marketing trick – their composition contains specific chemical substances that, in a clinically proven way, reduce certain problems, in this case – the pain and discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity. Depending on the active substance, toothpastes for sensitive teeth work in different ways, most often – either by soothing the nerve or by physically sealing the open dentin tubules. When choosing a product, look for the following ingredients on the packaging:

• Potassium Nitrate: one of the most common ingredients, which acts directly on the nerve endings, blocking the transmission of the pain signal to the brain. The effect is usually not immediate, but cumulative – with regular use, sensitivity decreases after approximately two weeks.
• Stannous Fluoride: this substance forms a protective layer over the open dentin tubules, literally "plugging" them. This prevents irritants from reaching the nerve. In addition, fluoride strengthens the enamel and protects against caries.
• Arginine and calcium carbonate: this technology works on the principle of biomimetics – it uses an amino acid (arginine) that is naturally found in saliva. Combined with calcium, it creates an alkaline environment and forms a dense, mineralised layer that physically and deeply seals the open dentin tubules, thus imitating and reinforcing the body's natural, but often insufficient, ability to protect the tooth nerve.
• Hydroxyapatite: a substance that is identical to the tooth's natural mineral structure. Pastes with hydroxyapatite help remineralise, or restore, the microscopic damage of the enamel, making the tooth surface denser and less sensitive.

What does the RDA index mean and why should you avoid whitening pastes?

One of the most important factors when choosing a toothpaste is its abrasiveness. It is measured by the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity) index. Many "Whitening" pastes available in stores achieve their effect not chemically, but mechanically – they contain hard abrasive particles, such as silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide or calcium carbonate, which work similarly to a fine scrub or sandpaper, physically scrubbing the pigment off the tooth surface.

For healthy tooth enamel such an effect may be harmless, but for sensitive teeth it is harmful. Intensive use of abrasive pastes, whose RDA often exceeds 100, not only continues to wear down the already thin enamel, but also scrubs off the natural "smear layer" that partly covers the dentin tubules, thus opening the way for irritants directly to the nerve.

People with hypersensitivity should choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with a low RDA index, ideally below 70. On the packaging this is usually indicated with the notes "Low Abrasion", "Sensitive" or "Enamel Protection", whereas products that promise "fast, intensive whitening" or "stain removal" are better avoided in daily use.

How does a dental hygienist help solve tooth sensitivity?

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Although a properly chosen toothpaste is the foundation of daily care, it is not always able to resolve the cause if the problem is deeper, for example, gum disease, caries damage or teeth grinding (bruxism). Therefore, regular visits to a dental hygienist are important, as they allow the causes of the problem to be noticed in time and the most effective therapy to be adapted to reduce sensitivity.

• Tartar removal: the accumulation of tartar at the gum line promotes gum inflammation and recession, which in turn exposes the sensitive necks of the teeth. Regularly performed professional dental hygiene stops or at least controls this process.
• Advanced therapy: the hygienist can apply special desensitising varnishes or gels with a high concentration of fluoride that are not available in stores. These agents provide immediate relief and seal the dentin tubules for a long time.
• Training in the correct technique: as already mentioned, sensitivity is often caused by incorrect, overly aggressive brushing technique. The specialist will notice the signs of enamel wear and teach a gentler approach to tooth care.
• Diagnostics: the hygienist is able to determine the true cause of the discomfort – whether it is general dentin sensitivity, hidden gum disease or after all caries damage, when an urgent visit to the dentist is required.

When thinking about long-term solutions, professional fluoridation is precisely one of the best ways to make the enamel more durable and reduce unpleasant sensations in the future. If you want to learn more about this procedure and how it helps strengthen teeth, read the article “Dental fluoridation procedure: how does it happen and how often should it be done?”.

An investment in oral health pays off

Living with constant discomfort caused by a sip of cold water or morning coffee is definitely not the norm. We understand that a visit to a specialist is often postponed for fear of potential costs, but it is precisely timely action that is the wisest investment, protecting you from much more expensive treatment in the future. So that you have complete clarity and a sense of security about the planned expenses, all the information about dental services is available in the “Price list” section of our website.

Entrust the care of your smile to the Adoria professionals!

Photo: adoria.lv

If, despite the use of specialised toothpaste, tooth sensitivity does not pass or even intensifies, it is time to seek professional help. The health and aesthetics clinic Adoria dentistry in Riga, at A. Čaka iela 70-3, offers a full range of dental services – from hygiene to the treatment of complicated cases. Make an appointment by calling +371 67 315 000 or by filling out the application form on the website.