Study finds 57% of patients suffer from dentine hypersensitivity

Colgate discusses the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and explores potential solutions that can be recommended to patients.

A study in Dental Clinics of North America found that 57% of patients suffer from dentine hypersensitivity (Addy, 1990). ‘Dentine hypersensitivity is characterised by short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli – typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic, or chemical – which cannot be ascribed to any other dental defect or pathology.’ (Addy, 2002)

Sensitivity patients need an effective solution that not only stops the pain immediately, but also provides long-lasting relief, independently of what they eat or drink. There are two routes for dentine hypersensitivity to occur: enamel loss or gingival recession. Both lead to the exposure of dentine, and the opening of the dentine tubules.

Solutions for dentine hypersensitivity

The PRO-ARGIN technology in the Colgate SENSITIVE INSTANT* Relief range contains arginine and calcium that builds into a complex, forming a calcium-rich layer that occludes and seals open dentine tubules. When binding to the dentine surface, the calcium-rich layer instantly* occludes the open dentine tubules (Nathoo et al, 2009). The strong calcium-rich layer provides long-lasting** relief from the pain of sensitive teeth (Docimo, 2009).

The new formula of Colgate SENSITIVE INSTANT* Relief Repair + Multi-Protection now also contains added zinc phospate, promoting faster build-up of the protective layer and increased acid resistance (Colgate-Palmolive, 2021). This provides:

• 60.5% Reduction in sensitivity pain from the first use (Nathoo et al, 2009)
• 80.5% Long-lasing reduction in sensitivity pain (Docimo et al, 2009)
• And superior dental tubule occlusion (Liu et al, 2022).

Gingival recession as a result of gum problems is a key cause for dentine hypersensitivity. Colgate SENSITIVE INSTANT Relief Repair + Gum Care can be recommended for patients needing sensitivity relief + gum protection (Lai et al, 2015). This provides instant* and long-lasting** relief as well as strengthening gums to help prevent recession (Lai et al, 2015).

Recommend Colgate SENSITIVE INSTANT Relief for instant (Nathoo et al, 2009) and long-lasting (Docimo et al, 2009) pain relief.

References

1. Addy M, Dent Clin North Am, 1990;34:503-51
2. Addy M, Int Dent J, 2002
3. Nathoo et al, J Clin Dent, 2009;20 (Spec Iss):123–130.
4. With continued use, Docimo et al, J Clin Dent, 2009;20 (Spec Iss):17– 22.
5. Vs previous formula, in vitro occlusion after 3 brushings, report by Hines 2021, Data on File, Colgate-Palmolive Technology Center (2021).
6. Vs previous formula, in vitro acid resistance after 5 brushings, report by Hines 2021, Data on File, Colgate-PalmoliveTechnology Center (2021).
7. Vs baseline, Nathoo et al, J Clin Dent 2009;20 (Spec Iss):123 –130 (when toothpaste is applied directly with a finger tip to each sensitive tooth for one minute.)
8. PRO-ARGIN technology vs stannous fluoride/sodium fluoride technology, in vitro study, confocal images after five treatments. Liu Y, et al, J Dent Res, 2022;101(Spec Iss B):80.
9. With continued use, Lai HY et al, J Clin Periodontol 42 S17 (2015)

*For instant relief, apply directly to the sensitive tooth with a fingertip and massage gently for one minute, up to twice a day. For children six-12 years, once a week or less frequently.

**With continued use two times per day. For lasting relief, apply to a gentle toothbrush making sure to brush all sensitive areas of the teeth.

This article is sponsored by Colgate.