If you experience annoying and often painful sensitivity in your teeth, you know how much it can impact your daily oral hygiene routine and enjoyment of food and drink. But you don't have to settle for discomfort. Choosing the right toothpaste designed specifically to treat sensitive teeth can provide tremendous relief.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

To understand what to look for in a best toothpaste for sensitivity, it helps to understand what causes the problem in the first place:

Exposed Dentin

Underneath your tooth enamel lies a layer of tissue called dentin. When enamel erodes or gums recede, the dentin can get exposed, resulting in sensitivity due to lack of protective coating.

Loss of Protective Agents

There are tiny tubules in dentin that allow for nerve transmission. Usually, these are blocked with natural mineral deposits. But when those deposits diminish, nerves remain exposed.

Damage to Roots

Cracks in tooth roots or abrasion near the gumline allows easy access to nerve-rich interior tissue.

Key Ingredients for Sensitive Teeth

Now that you know some of the main culprits behind sensitivity, look for toothpastes that address those issues through proprietary ingredients like:

Mineral Deposits

Ingredients like stannous fluoride help rebuild protective mineral layers on dentin to shield nerves.

Tubule Blockers

Agents like arginine and calcium carbonate plug up exterior tubule openings so stimuli can’t reach nerves.

Anti-Inflammatories

Soothing ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil reduce inflammation in gums for healing.

Pain Relievers

Menthol, mint, and strontium chloride give immediate, temporary pain relief per brushing.

Formula Considerations

Beyond key ingredients, the formula itself makes a difference in toothpaste effectiveness:

Low Abrasives

Whitening agents like silica may make sensitivity worse, so low-abrasion pastes are ideal.

Extra Fluoride

Higher fluoride content, like in ADA anticavity toothpastes, helps strengthen enamel to avoid sensitivity onset.

Gel Formulas

Thicker gels adhere better to teeth surfaces rather than watery formulas that quickly wash off.

Armed with the knowledge of what makes an effective sensitive toothpaste, you can confidently choose one that keeps discomfort at bay for good!