2011 September 07

An Easy Solution to Sensitive Teeth, Delivered in Your Toothpaste Tube

Wednesday 7 September 2011 @ 8:33 am

Sensitive teeth can take all the joy out of a cool refreshing drink, a shaved ice or an ice cream on a sweltering summer day. Forget about sweets and hot drinks. Sometimes even smiling in windy weather can hurt beyond belief if you have extreme tooth sensitivity. Although it is a very common issue, it is also a tricky one to solve.

Now scientists at the University of Maryland’s College of Dentistry have developed an ingredient that can be included in regular toothpaste to relieve sensitive teeth. They call it Novamin.

Novamin, a compound containing calcium, phosphorus, silica and sodium, is designed to block the holes that open up when the enamel of the teeth wear down. When it is exposed to water—in the saliva or when drinking—Novamin works by growing new tooth mineral crystals (hydroxyapatite) around the decay cavities that develop on the tooth surface. It can also help teeth to absorb minerals, making them stronger and more cavity resistant.

According to Dr. Gary Hack, DDS, a dentist from the University of Maryland, quoted in Science Daily, Novamin is totally natural, non-toxic and is capable of providing the same minerals contained in your saliva, but at a much higher concentration. Research also shows that adding Novamin to fluoride toothpaste can provide the same benefit that increasing fluoride levels by 400 percent would, but without the toxicity. Dr. Hack says that “It can also help in preventing decay. We found that it can whiten teeth and can help with periodontal or gum disease as well.”

Our teeth become sensitive when the shiny white enamel of the teeth wears away, is damaged or if the tooth roots which are usually covered by the gums become exposed due to gum recession. Dentin, the layer of tooth that lies below the enamel, and is actually the outer layer in the tooth root, comprises tiny tubules which are connected to nerves inside the tooth pulp. When the dentin becomes exposed to the outside these tubules can make the tooth extra sensitive to hot, cold and other sensations.

All this time, those with sensitive teeth were advised to use special toothpastes like Sensodyne that contain potassium nitrate compounds. These compounds depolarize the nerves, rather than solve the sensitivity issue. This is why Novamin is a big deal. It actually helps solve your problem rather than mask it.

Toothpaste containing Novamin is now available from your local dentists. You can find a local dentist through FreeDentistFinder.com right now. There were a few brands also available on Amazon.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

To find out about what causes tooth sensitivity, read the FreeDentistFinder.com article titled What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

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