Review on 🦷 Toms Maine Natural Sensitive Toothpaste: Gentle Oral Care for Sensitivity Relief by Chris Murphy

I'm so glad Tom's of Maine is now launching Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste. Before that I used Whole Care toothpaste which is great but doesn't solve the target problem. I am a dental assistant so I have a lot of experience both professionally and personally when it comes to tooth sensitivity. I love that this toothpaste comes with a little leaflet explaining what causes it and how this toothpaste solves the problem. This mainly exposes the dentin (soft tissue of the tooth) that is normally covered by the gums. This can happen for a number of reasons ranging from improper brushing to bruxism (teeth grinding). This causes recession (gum loss) and exposes the dentin. There are many tiny holes in the dentin that lead to the pulp (the nerve of your tooth) and if something touches the dentin and enters these holes it will cause sensitivity and sometimes pain. Unfortunately, at the moment we can't regrow our gum, so we need to treat it as best we can. In some extreme cases, patients receive a gum graft, which is basically a graft where gum tissue is transplanted onto the exposed dentin to re-cover it. In less extreme cases, your dentist will prescribe you a fluoride toothpaste that is high in potassium nitrate. You can find them in toothpastes that target tooth sensitivity directly (Sensodyne, etc.). Tom's makes a version of their toothpaste for sensitive teeth that contains potassium nitrate, here's a link to test it for Revain: Tom's Of Maine, Toothpaste, Sensitive, Antiplaque, Soothing Mint, 4 oz. Potassium nitrate basically has an anesthetic effect as it numbs the area so you don't feel any sensitivity. This Rapid Relief says that over time it actually creates a barrier to plug microscopic holes in dentin. It will be interesting to see how long it will take and whether it will do anything at all. I've been using this toothpaste for a week and when I touch the exposed dentin I currently have it is still very sensitive and slightly painful. This purchase includes TWO Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpastes, so it's a good deal. I hope they start selling this formula in stores along with Tom's other toothpastes. As for the advice I can give to patients using this or any other toothpaste for sensitive teeth: * Brush your teeth for at least a minute * Be sure to brush the areas where your teeth meet your gums, ye Gums are important too! * When you are finished brushing your teeth, spit out the toothpaste and DO NOT rinse your mouth. This removes the plaque that the toothpaste leaves on your teeth and essentially prevents the toothpaste from doing what it is supposed to do. * Wait at least ten minutes after brushing your teeth before eating or drinking anything. Apply this toothpaste to your finger and gently rub over the area causing the sensitivity. Again, this should be done within a minute, if possible, and then refrain from gargling, eating, or drinking for at least 10 minutes. As always, have a regular check-up with your dentist at least once a year. If you have any questions please leave a comment below, but I am NOT a doctor and cannot diagnose you or your symptoms. The comments should be questions about that particular toothpaste. I will do my best to answer them for you. *UPDATE* I've been using this toothpaste twice a day (morning and evening) for a month now. This toothpaste helped me eat and drink cold foods within the first week of use. Now, after four weeks of continuous use, it has also helped with touch sensitivity. In the past, the bristles of my toothbrush caused discomfort, so I brushed the recessed/exposed dentin area very slowly and gently. Now I can brush my teeth normally and even if I touch this area with my finger and move it up and down there is NO PAIN (previously when I did this it would send what seemed like lightning pain through the area). . This toothpaste really creates a barrier by closing holes in dentin rather than just numbing it. I will definitely keep buying this toothpaste because it works wonders.