Sensitive Teeth

teddysmum

I assume I'm not the only one who, doing surveys , answers that they only buy toothpaste about two or three times a year. I think my last purchase was about 6 tubes; on offer, of course.

teddysmum

thistledome wrote: »

My partner had some filler type stuff put on the gaps between his sensitive teeth and gumline and he says it works, but I've never heard of it before - is that what you mean?

No special filler; just the Colgate Pro toothpaste.


In their ad, when it first came out, they suggested rubbing a sore area with some paste on the tip of your finger.

strangeotron

Toothsmith wrote: »

Asking how to cure sensitive teeth is a bit like asking how to cure a cough.

The 'cough' is really a symptom, and the cure will be fixing whatever is causing the cough - not just taking something that stops you coughing.

Sensitivity in the teeth can be caused by several things.

The simplest reason is just a minor bit of gum recession exposing a sensitive bit of root. This often gets better by itself in the end, but can be speeded up by the sensitive toothpastes.

Other reasons for sensitive teeth can be cavities, tooth grinding, acid erosion, dying nerves or even neuralgias that are nothing to do with the teeth themselves!

Whilst toothpastes might well help with a few of the above causes - they will not cure the problem, and may well mask the fact that the problem needs a better treatment and could well be getting worse.

The bottom line is to get proper professional advice on why your teeth are sensitive, and from there get direction on the best treatment for your teeth.

That's why I asked if that person had seen a dentist.

My dentist never told me why. He just looked and said enamel had eroded, go brush with the right toothpaste.

suki1964

strangeotron wrote: »

That's why I asked if that person had seen a dentist.

My dentist never told me why. He just looked and said enamel had eroded, go brush with the right toothpaste.

Whether I've been to a dentist is not really any of your business. However seeing as you want to know I see the dentist twice yearly and they hygienist 4 times a year

You asked what was the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth, I replied that sensodyne in my opinion was the best as long as you use it daily

Stop using it and you will feel the sensitivity again

victor2

Another vote for Sensodyne, and stocking up when it's on offer.
I tried the Colgate one and the sensitivity came back, so only Sensodyne will do for me.

GwylimT

Prevident sensitive here, I had some damage to two of my front bottom teeth by a dentist when my brace was removed, they look okay and apart from being sensitive are fairly easy to look after.

strangeotron

suki1964 wrote: »

Whether I've been to a dentist is not really any of your business. However seeing as you want to know I see the dentist twice yearly and they hygienist 4 times a year

You asked what was the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth, I replied that sensodyne in my opinion was the best as long as you use it daily

Stop using it and you will feel the sensitivity again

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be nosy perse, I was just curious as to how someone would have what seemed quite a serious issue with no real treatment.

thistledome

Toothsmith wrote: »

Sensitivity in the teeth can be caused by several things.

The simplest reason is just a minor bit of gum recession exposing a sensitive bit of root. This often gets better by itself in the end, but can be speeded up by the sensitive toothpastes.

Interesting. Toothsmith, how does it get better by itself? I have really bad gum recession and I read on a web site that the minerals in your saliva can eventually "re-enamel" the exposed bits on your teeth. It said that brushing your teeth at night with sensitive toothpaste will leave a coating on the teeth that makes it impossible for the saliva to re-enamel them.

After that I started brushing my teeth at night with a mixture of liquid soap and a tiny bit of clove oil and it really got my teeth clean but when I told my dentist she told me to stop doing that and go back to sensitive toothpaste. She said it was nonsense. My teeth felt really clean and smooth though.

teddysmum wrote: »

No special filler; just the Colgate Pro toothpaste.

In their ad, when it first came out, they suggested rubbing a sore area with some paste on the tip of your finger.

Sorry, teddysmum my comment about the fillers between gum and tooth was intended for OP, I didn't make it clear though.

I agree with you about the Colgate Pro, I find it works better than anything else on my teeth. In one particular very exposed root it doesn't hurt at all, even when I first start brushing - whereas other sensitive pastes hurt at first.

jenniewb

I have sensitive teeth and have found I can only use Sensodyne. I did try the Oral B toothpaste for sensitive teeth and also the Colgate Pro Relief but with each and especially with Colgate, I found they actually really really hurt to use- it was as if I'd poured strong acid on my teeth then drilled ice into them- I have had sensitive teeth since I was a child (electric toothbrushes are not a good idea for children = receeding gums) and I'd not experienced as much pain as when I tried the Colgate Pro Relief version.


I would see if you can test out some samples- quite often you can either buy a mini toothpaste in the holiday section of Boots and Superdrug or sometimes even get a freebie from the brand themselves (if you ask nicely). I was lucky mine was only a trial as I had to throw away what I had after about 2 weeks when it became clear it was stopping me from brushing my teeth for long enough because it just hurt too much.


Also- just a tip no one has mentioned in this thread: if you do drink sugary or sweetner filled drinks (or foods), try to rinse your mouth with plain water and then wait for about 20 minutes before brushing. Any acid is closer to neutralised and is going to be less harmful when brushing. Brushing your teeth straight after consuming acid (or if you have acid reflux; when you experience symptoms) isn't a good idea as you end up brushing acid into your teeth which then causes more erosion and greater sensitivity.