anything frugal for sensitive teeth?

[Deleted User]

Hi frugallers
I go to my dentist regularly and have a good teeth-cleaning technique, but have had sensitive teeth for many years. My dentist has told me about a new toothpaste which apparently is the bees knees for sensitivity (Normal sensitive toothpastes do very little to help) This new product is very expensive and not as amazing as it claims either:(

So all you thrifty misses and misters - who can recommend a HM frugal alternative to try?

Please note, I am not seeking medical advice here, just a good DIY recipe or idea for sensitive teeth

Butterfly_Brain

There are some good homemade ideas on these web sites
http://consumption-rebellion.blogspot.com/2007/02/homemade-toothpaste.html
http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/teeth/mouth-wash.html

brook2jack

Don't use sensitive toothpaste as a toothpaste. Use ordinary toothpaste during the day then last thing at night rub the sensitive paste into the teeth and leave on don't rinse out. It works much better and is more frugal.

Scoflo

Ask at the dentist for the new Corsodyl toothpaste samples. Tastes weird but it has made a huge difference to my teeth.

ynwa6

brook2jack's advice is sound - allow the toothpaste to stay on the teeth. Brush as normal morning and night, spit as much toothpaste out as you can and DON'T rinse with water, effectively leaving a reservoir of toothpaste on the surface of the teeth. The fluoride in the toothpaste is the key and remineralizes the outer surfaces of the teeth. Also don't use mouthwash immediately after brushing as this will wash away all the fluoride from the toothpaste.
Another source of fluoride is fluoride mouthwashes - read the label on the back of the bottle and look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride and check the concerntration. From memory fluorigaurd (by colgate) has 225ppm fluoride and sensodyne proenamel mouthwash has 450ppm. Using a fluoride mouthwash at a different time to brushing (lunchtime or evening) provides another coating of fluoride to the teeth. And as suggested above applying some toothpaste to the teeth before bed and leaving overnight may help too.

Apollonia

I agree with brook2jack about applying sensitive toothpaste last thing at night.

In addition, check the ingredients of the pastes you have tried as the active ingredient that works on the sensitivity is not the same in every toothpaste:

Sensodyne Extra Fresh = Potassium Nitrate
Sensodyne Total Care = Potassium Chloride
Sensodyne Mint = Strontium Acetate
Sensodyne Original = Strontium Chloride
Sensodyne Gentle Whitening = Potassium Chloride

Colgate Sensitive = Potassium Citrate
Colgate Pro-relief = Argin

Most dental practices will have free samples to give out or look for the travel size tubes in shops.

There are also various varnishes and sealants that your dentist or hygienist can apply in the surgery to reduce sensitivity.

jenniewb

Apollonia wrote: »

I agree with brook2jack about applying sensitive toothpaste last thing at night.

In addition, check the ingredients of the pastes you have tried as the active ingredient that works on the sensitivity is not the same in every toothpaste:

Sensodyne Extra Fresh = Potassium Nitrate
Sensodyne Total Care = Potassium Chloride
Sensodyne Mint = Strontium Acetate
Sensodyne Original = Strontium Chloride
Sensodyne Gentle Whitening = Potassium Chloride

Colgate Sensitive = Potassium Citrate
Colgate Pro-relief = Argin

Most dental practices will have free samples to give out or look for the travel size tubes in shops.

There are also various varnishes and sealants that your dentist or hygienist can apply in the surgery to reduce sensitivity.

Do you know what the protective ingredient in the pronamel toothpaste is? its just its the only type that works for me! I stopped last month and lost a tooth due to it crumbling! (I should explain I used to have chronic bulimia and anorexia and so my tooth enamel is pretty non existant) this is why I think only this type of toothpaste seems to have a reduction in the amount of fillings I need.

I would also add to the list that prevention is better then cure. Some things that I have found/been told worsen problems are fizzy drinks, both diet and non diet. Infact most non diet drinks are just bad if not worse. The sweeteners are very acidic and can cause tooth enamel to weaken alot more, then the smashing action of the bubbles on your teeth and ....you got the makings of damage and sensitive teeth through reduced/damaged tooth enamel.

Fruit, sweets, vinegar, ....even milk! all acidic, (though milk is not as acidic as the others, PH around 6.7 or something with ph7 being natural) all can cause damage but- the worst thing you can do just after eating them is to brush your teeth! When acid goes past your teeth it weakens the enamel. You need this to harden up before you can safely brsh your teeth without as much damage. You could try swigging bicarb of soda (mind the froth) or plain water first to dilute the acid if you have to brush your teeth soon after.

Thanks for the advice on leaving toothpaste on overnight- would actually be great for me as I have big sinus issues, breathe through my mouth alot at night and wake up with a dry mouth, many smaller fillings can fall out after this. I'm hoping maybe the toothpaste may help that a little too.

rockie4

I use the Pronamel it's brilliant! :T
I tried all the other sensitive toothpastes, including rubbing it on my gums at night but Pronamel worked wonders!

Worth every penny.....but seeing as you don't need much and I usually get it on BOGOF I think it's pretty cheap!

Apollonia

Pronamel has Potassium Nitrate.

But for strengthening enamel speak to your dentist about Duraphat toothpaste - it has higher fluoride levels than regular toothpastes; either 2800ppm* or 5000ppm formulations (Colgate Total 'regular' toothpaste is 1450ppm). Duraphat toothpaste is available in shops - make sure you keep it out of reach of children as high fluoride levels will make them sick if they eat it!

*ppm = parts per million i.e. the amount of fluoride present in the toothpaste

[Deleted User]

brook2jack wrote: »

Don't use sensitive toothpaste as a toothpaste. Use ordinary toothpaste during the day then last thing at night rub the sensitive paste into the teeth and leave on don't rinse out. It works much better and is more frugal.

Now that is a good idea:A thankyou