OTC Products-Tooth Sensitivity

Table I: Patient-applied desensitizing agents
Product	Manufacturer	Active Agent	Mechanism of Action
Dental Care® Sensitive	Arm & Hammer	Potassium nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Original	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Cool Gel	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Fresh Mint	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Baking Soda	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Tartar + Whitening	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Sensodyne® Extra Whitening	Block Drug Company	Potassium* nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Colgate® Sensitive	Colgate-Palmolive Company	Potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride	Blocks nerve repolarization (Dual chamber delivery)
Mentadent® Sensitive	Chesebrough-Ponds Co	Potassium fluoride	Blocks nerve repolarization
Crest® Sensitive	Procter & Gamble	Potassium nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Arm & Hammer Advance White for Sensitive Teeth	Church & Dwight	Potassium nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
Rembrandt Whitening for Sensitive Teeth	Rembrandt	Potassium nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization
AquaFresh® Sensitive	SmithKline Beecham	Potassium nitrate	Blocks nerve repolarization

* Care with sodium lauryl sulphate if you are prone to apthous ulcers.

Source: RDH, December 2000. Sensitive Issues by Juliana J. Kim, BSHD,Ms and Iain A. Pretty, BDS, MSc,Volume 20 Issue 12.

The principal active ingredients are:

STRONTIUM CHLORIDE - blocks dental canaliculi to reduce tactile sensitivity or;
POTASSIUM NITRATE - blocks the transmission of sensitive nervous impulses and is more efficient in reducing thermal (heat or cold) and osmotic (sweet and sour) sensitivities
Probe 2001; 35(1):26

Picture courtesy of RDH Magazine.