Frequently Asked Questions

Tooth sensitivity, also described as a short, sharp pain most frequently occurs when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drinks. You may also feel discomfort when consuming sweet or sour food and drinks, or when you brush your teeth and rinse with cold water. Many adults have only occasional tooth sensitivity. Some adults experience chronic pain. Tooth sensitivity may be an indication of an underlying dental problem. Please consult your dentist.

See "About Sensitivity"

Underneath the tooth's protective enamel coating is a highly porous layer called "dentin." Thousands of microscopic channels run through the dentin. Once dentin is exposed, the tooth can become susceptible to triggers such as cold food or drinks and you may feel a short, sharp pain.

See "What Causes Sensitive Teeth?"

Brushing with a sensitivity toothpaste such as Sensodyne® toothpaste is a good way to relieve sensitivity. In addition, you should avoid brushing too hard and to use a soft-bristled toothbrush specially designed for sensitive teeth. Taking good care of your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly can also help protect against conditions that contribute to sensitivity, such as gum disease, cavities and gum recession.

See "Minimizing the Risk of Sensitivity."

Sensitive teeth can be caused by gum recession, loss of enamel or damage to teeth and gums. Temporary sensitivity can be caused by cosmetic professional or at-home whitening treatments. Sensitive teeth can hurt as a reaction to:

• Cold foods or beverages
• Hot foods or beverages
• Sweet foods
• Chemical stimulus

See "Sensitivity Triggers."

Yes. Sensitive teeth affect many people, even young people, and can start at any time.

Often, tooth sensitivity while bothersome, is not usually a sign of a serious dental condition. However, sensitive teeth may indicate an underlying dental problem requiring prompt care by a dentist. See your dentist as soon as possible for advice.

See "A Sign of Something More Serious?"

Yes. Brushing too hard can lead to receding gums. Over time, it can also lead to wearing away of the tooth, which is another way dentin becomes exposed, causing sensitivity.

Tooth whitening treatments are becoming increasingly popular. Typically, the ingredients in the products used for whitening are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are usually administered through a specially made tray (similar to a gum-shield). As the whitening agent is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth color is made lighter. Tooth sensitivity is widely recognized as being associated with tooth bleaching procedures. There is no exact science to predicting if you will experience sensitivity but reports suggest that up to 80% of patients using bleaching will experience some sensitivity. Be sure to discuss this with your dentist prior to any treatment.

See "Whitening Treatments and Sensitivity."

The wearing away of enamel, caused by acid in our diet, is called "Acid Wear." It is also sometimes referred to as "Acid Erosion" or "Enamel Erosion."

To learn more, go to ProNamel.com.

Many of the foods and drinks that we associate with a modern diet, including wine, soft drinks, many fruits, flavored ice tea and balsamic vinegar contain acid. The acid comes into contact with teeth, at which point the tooth's hard enamel surface softens. Then, when we brush our teeth, the enamel can be worn away more easily and become thinner over time. This wearing of enamel, caused by acid in our diet, is called "Acid Wear" or "Acid Erosion."

To learn more, go to ProNamel.com.

Yes. As dietary acid wears away tooth enamel, there is a greater likelihood that the underlying dentin layer will become exposed. Once dentin becomes exposed, the nerve in the center of the tooth becomes susceptible to stimuli, resulting in a short, sharp pain caused by certain triggers, such as hot or cold foods and beverages.

To learn more, go to ProNamel.com.

Sensodyne® toothpaste is the #1 dentist recommended toothpaste for sensitive teeth. 9 out of 10 dentists recommend it for patients with sensitive teeth.

Nerves in exposed dentin channels may become susceptible to triggers such as cold food or drinks. Sensodyne® toothpaste creates a barrier at the nerve signal and, with regular brushing, builds long-lasting protection. Sensodyne® toothpaste's active ingredient works at the source of the pain to calm and sooth the nerve and is clinically proven to relieve the pain of sensitivity. Dentists recommend using Sensodyne® toothpaste twice a day just as you would use your normal toothpaste.

Sensodyne® toothpaste comes in many different variations to satisfy individual needs:

• Sensodyne® Original Flavor toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Extra Whitening toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Fresh Impact toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Fresh Mint toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Cool Gel toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Full Protection Plus Whitening toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Tartar Control Plus Whitening toothpaste
• Sensodyne® Multi-Action with iso-active technology toothpaste
• Senosdyne® Whitening with iso-active technology toothpaste
• ProNamel® Daily Protection toothpaste
• ProNamel® Gentle Whitening toothpaste
• ProNamel® Fresh Wave toothpaste
• ProNamel® Daily Protection with iso-active Technology toothpaste
• ProNamel® Gentle Whitening with iso-active Technology toothpaste 

Yes. Whitening formulations are available in Sensodyne® Extra Whitening toothpaste, Sensodyne® Full Protection Plus Whitening toothpaste, Sensodyne® Tartar Control Plus Whitening toothpaste and Sensodyne® Iso-active® technology with whitening toothpaste.

Use Sensodyne® toothpaste twice a day, every day, in place of your regular toothpaste for ongoing protection from tooth sensitivity.

Clinical studies show potassium nitrate progressively reduces the pain of sensitivity over a period of weeks. The potassium ions in Sensodyne® toothpaste surround nerves and cross the membrane to depolarize the nerves and stops them from firing. This means transmission of nerve impulses is prevented and the resulting pain can be relieved. Sensodyne® toothpaste should be used twice daily to help block the nerve response and relieve the pain of sensitive teeth. Always read the label.

Whether or not the pain will return depends on the individual. To stop the pain from coming back, your dental professional may recommend replacing your regular toothpaste with Sensodyne® toothpaste and using it twice a day, every day.

The Sensodyne® toothpaste variations for sensitive teeth are not formulated or recommended for children under the age of 12.  Sensitivity is rarely a problem for children that young. Check with your child's dentist to get the proper recommendation.

All Sensodyne® toothpastes variants contain fluoride.

Sensodyne® toothpaste is available in a travel-sized tube in major retail outlets.

Yes, you may use mouthwash or eat or drink after using Sensodyne® toothpaste.

All Sensodyne® toothpastes fall within the American Dental Association (ADA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) guidelines for daily use dentifrices. Typically, Sensodyne® toothpastes have low to moderate RDA in the range of 60-120, depending on variants (and market). Sensodyne® ProNamel® toothpaste, has a low RDA value of approximately 35.

Sensodyne® toothpaste whitening formulas do not bleach. They contain a matrix of polishing and cleaning ingredients which all contribute to the cleaning and whitening effect. Sensodyne® toothpaste variants contain clinically proven desensitising active ingredients.

Yes. Research has shown that using Sensodyne® toothpaste two weeks before and during the whitening process can significantly:

• Reduce the chances that whitening related tooth sensitivity will develop.
• Increase "sensitivity free" days during and after the whitening process.
• Improve overall satisfaction with the whitening process.

Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste foaming gel is an innovative technology in toothpaste. Its delivery system disperses the toothpaste quickly, penetrating those critical, hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste is ideal for those who experience tooth sensitivity as it provides all around sensitivity protection and relief.

Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste is delivered in a novel canister format, and its gel-to-foam action is a result of the inclusion of isopentane. Isopentane responds to increases in temperature caused by the warmth of the mouth. The active gel is stored in a special internal bag inside the can, known as "bag on valve" technology. When the can's nozzle is pressed, the pressure forces the gel out of the can. In the warmth of the mouth during brushing, the gel transforms into an active micro-fine foam, generating twice the foam volume as ordinary toothpaste and penetrating hard-to-reach places.

Generating more foam volume as ordinary toothpaste, the activated formulation of Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste disperses ingredients around the mouth helping to penetrate those critical, hard-to-reach areas and rinses clean away. Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste is ideal for those who experience tooth sensitivity as it provides all around sensitivity protection and relief.

Isopentane responds to increases in temperature caused by the warmth of the mouth. This relatively small increase in temperature, combined with brushing, stimulates the enhanced foaming action of the product. Generating more foam volume than ordinary toothpaste, the activated formulation disperses active ingredients around the mouth which help to penetrate critical, hard to reach areas and rinse clean away.

In Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste, isopentane is the ingredient that responds to the heat of your mouth, transforming the toothpaste gel into a micro-fine foam.

In Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste, isopentane is the ingredient that responds to the heat of your mouth, transforming the toothpaste gel into a micro-fine foam.

Isopentane is a common ingredient used safely in a range of health and beauty products, including body wash and shaving gels produced by some of the world's leading global brands. Scientific evidence and experience of use of isopentane in a range of personal care products around the globe all support the safety and effectiveness of isopentane when used as indicated.

Although Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste generates more foam than regular toothpaste to quickly disperse active ingredients, it is still recommended to brush twice a day, every day, for two minutes, or as directed by a dental professional.

Each canister of Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste contains 100mL of toothpaste, the same amount as a standard 100mL tube.

Sensodyne® Multi-Action with iso-active® technology toothpaste and Sensodyne® Whitening with iso-active® technology toothpaste are currently available.

No. Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste is pressurized within the canister using compressed nitrogen, which is an environmentally friendly propellant.

Please contact your local recycling facility to understand recycling capabilities in your area. The packaging components of Sensodyne® iso-active® toothpaste are similar to those found in standard shaving gel aerosol canisters.