FAQs
By brushing your teeth with a toothpaste with potassium nitrate, you're coating your teeth with a solution that reduces pain and sensitivity. But is it safe? Yes — your toothpaste contains only about 5 percent of potassium nitrate, which is also found in vegetables including spinach, celery, and cabbage.
How long does it take for potassium nitrate to work? ›
The effect of the potassium nitrate accumulates over time, and it may take several weeks for patients to notice improvement of pain symptoms 10.
What is the strongest prescription toothpaste? ›
What are Colgate PreviDent 5000 Booster Plus and Colgate Duraphat? Colgate PreviDent 5000 Booster Plus and Colgate Duraphat 5000 are both high-level (prescription-strength) fluoride toothpastes containing 1.1% sodium fluoride (5000 ppm fluoride).
What are the side effects of potassium nitrate? ›
* Contact can cause eye and skin irritation. * Breathing Potassium Nitrate can irritate the nose and throat causing sneezing and coughing. * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry Oxygen causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia).
What chemicals should be avoided in toothpaste? ›
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) SLS is a detergent found in many toothpastes. It is used to create the foamy feeling that you associate with cleaning your teeth. Unfortunately, SLS can cause skin irritation, and it aggressively irritates mouth ulcers.
Which is better, stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate? ›
Potassium nitrate can sooth and relieve pain around your teeth. Stannous fluoride can help protect your teeth. Together these ingredients help prevent pain and solve the root problem that causes sensitivity in the first place.
Can you use potassium nitrate toothpaste long term? ›
Do not use this medication for longer than 4 weeks unless directed by your doctor/dentist. Sensitive/painful teeth may sometimes be a symptom of a serious problem that needs attention from a dentist. Tell your doctor/dentist if your symptoms last or get worse.
Do dentists use potassium nitrate? ›
The most common potassium nitrate dental uses involve treating DH, as the compound is known to help reduce tooth sensitivity by calming the nerve fibres in the teeth.
Does Sensodyne have potassium nitrate? ›
Potassium nitrate is a mineral. It contains potassium ions which work to desensitize the nerve inside the tooth, helping to provide relief from sensitive tooth pain. Sensodyne Toothpastes with potassium nitrate include: Sensodyne Deep Clean – Deep cleans your sensitive teeth with twice daily brushing.
What toothpaste do dentists really use? ›
We recommend Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste as an excellent baseline toothpaste that can get you started on the right foot. It removes up to 96% of plaque bacteria along the gum line from gum problems such as gingivitis and tooth sensitivity.
For overall oral health, the Twice Oral Wellness Toothpaste with Fluoride is aptly named. It's packed with active ingredients dentists love, such as fluoride and xylitol. It's also the only toothpaste on our list that contains potassium nitrate, the same active ingredient Sensodyne uses to reduce tooth sensitivity.
Which toothpaste has the most potassium nitrate? ›
hello sensitivity relief fluoride toothpaste contains the highest level of the active ingredient potassium nitrate allowed by the FDA.
What does saltpeter do to your body? ›
Saltpeter and other nitrates have a long history of medical use, but it is toxic in high doses and can produce symptoms ranging from a mild headache and upset stomach to kidney damage and dangerously altered pressure.
Does potassium nitrate remineralize teeth? ›
Best Potassium Nitrate Toothpaste
Crest Whitening Therapy Sensitivity Care Toothpaste helps remineralize weakened enamel, remove surface stains, and prevent sensitivity pain.
What is the banned chemical in toothpaste? ›
Triclosan
Triclosan is an ingredient that can be found in toothpaste, body wash, antibacterial soaps and cosmetics. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a study conducted found a decrease in some thyroid hormones(4).
What are the safe preservatives in toothpaste? ›
Sodium benzoate is often the best choice, compared with other commonly used preservatives in toothpaste because of its antimicrobial effect, safety, and price. Sodium benzoate can also be used in pharmaceutical products for its antimicrobial properties, such as in tablets, capsules, and cough syrup.