Sensitive toothpaste is a type of toothpaste that is formulated to relieve tooth sensitivity with twice daily brushing. The following are some details about sensitive toothpaste, including its ingredients, positive and negative aspects:
Ingredients:
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Potassium nitrate: This mineral depolarizes the nerves inside the teeth, preventing them from sending pain signals when they come in contact with sensitivity triggers such as cold air or hot coffee. It is a common active ingredient in sensitive toothpaste.
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Stannous fluoride: This mineral helps strengthen the teeth, protect against acid erosion, and prevent decay. It is another common active ingredient in sensitive toothpaste.
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Fluoride: This mineral strengthens tooth enamel to protect against cavities and acid erosion. All Sensodyne products contain fluoride (stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride) to ensure cavity protection.
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Mild abrasives: These grainy substances work with your toothbrush to buff off stains and surface debris and give your teeth that shiny, clean feeling. Commonly-used abrasives include silica gels, calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, phosphate salts, magnesium carbonate, and hydrated aluminum oxides.
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: This is a common ingredient in toothpaste that creates foam and helps to spread the toothpaste around the mouth. However, it can cause irritation in some people.
Positive aspects:
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Sensitive toothpaste can help relieve tooth sensitivity with twice daily brushing.
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Sensitive toothpaste can help protect against cavities and acid erosion.
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Sensitive toothpaste can help freshen breath, whiten teeth, and reduce plaque.
Negative aspects:
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Sensitive toothpaste only addresses the symptoms of teeth sensitivity and does not address the underlying cause.
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Some people may experience irritation from the ingredients in sensitive toothpaste, such as sodium lauryl sulfate.
In conclusion, sensitive toothpaste contains active ingredients such as potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride that help relieve tooth sensitivity and protect against cavities and acid erosion. However, it only addresses the symptoms of teeth sensitivity and may cause irritation in some people.