Treatment of dentine hypersensitivity using desensitising toothpastes

Abstract

There is a wide variety ofoptions for treating the common phenomenon of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) which results from exposed dentine. The first line oftreatment is normally to use a desensitising toothpaste which is a quick, easy and widely available form oftreatment reducing the pain that results from this condition. There are several other treatments that can be carried out by a dental care professional in surgery such as the application ofDuraphat, a high fluoride concentration varnish such a Duraphat; Seal and Protect, a resin based varnish; fluoride trays or solutions in conjunction with iontophoresis; or use oflow-level laser therapy. As desensitising dentifrices are so easy to access, inexpensive and can be used at home rather than requiring one or more visits to the dental surgery, they are the most widely used form oftreatment. However there are a multitude ofdentifrices available, making it difficult to choose one. This paper is aimed at discovering which dentifrices are most effective at reducing DH, but the subjective nature of pain and the placebo effect, along with variation in study design make it very difficult to drawn definite conclusions. Results are mostly equivocal but from the studies reviewed in this report, Colgate Pro-Relief(Arginine) and Oral B Pro-expert (strontium acetate) appear to be the most effective treatments, however, potassium nitrate (and other potassium salts) dentifrices are also effective is many cases. In addition, fluoride dentifrices can also provide limited relief.