Sensitivity and Sensodyne Toothpaste

Sensodyne is a toothpaste product that is purposefully manufactured for people with sensitive teeth. GlaxoSmithKline Company is the manufacturer of Sensodyne, and it was introduced in the market in the year 1961 (Sensodyne, 2018). The paste is also supposed to provide the consumers with fresh breath and keep their enamel white and healthy. The ingredients include flavors (sorbitol and sodium saccharin), glycerine, dyes, sodium fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium phosphate, potassium nitrate, xanthan gum, and hydrated silica. This product has various brands that use different ingredients to prevent pain on the teeth. According to the adverts, one of the product uses potassium nitrate to block transmission of pain impulse to the brain from the nerves in the teeth (Sensodyne, 2018). They (manufactures) suggests that the nerves in the teeth are triggered by hot or cold substances as well as the brushing of the teeth. The other brand utilizes stannous fluoride which builds a protective layer on the teeth. The primary role of this layer is to prevent the cold or heat effect of consumed product from reaching dentin and triggering the nerves in the teeth. According to the producers, the coating prevents pain on individuals with sensitive teeth. Another brand of this product utilizes fluoride as one of their primary ingredients to curb tooth decay and remineralize enamel of the weakened teeth (Sensodyne, 2018). The manufacturer stresses that the use of sodium fluoride helps in protecting the dentin layer which if exposed can cause a lot of pain to the patients.

Manufacturer’s Claims and Research

Sensodyne Anticavity Toothpaste is a product that diminishes sensitivity in the teeth and provides co0nsumers with fresh mint. According to the adverts, when this product is regularly used it can help in preventing sensitivity from returning. In other words, a new coat is created to prevent exposing dentin. One of the ingredients that have been highly useful according to the manufactures are the flavors which contain highly concentrated sugars to mask the potential unpleasant taste from other components used. The flavored taste ensures that the product has compliance and preferences from the customers. It helps the paste to compete with other similar products in the market. The advertisement also highlights the necessity of using glycerin. This ingredient decreases the thickness of the final product and hence it provides a preferable texture of the paste. They also have mentioned that it can be converted to glucose by the body and used as a source of energy, although they have clarified that in the paste it is not used for this purpose. Glycerin is also sweet, and it provides the paste with an excellent taste.

The manufacturers claim that they use sodium lauryl sulfate to allow mixing of oil and water. It is also used as a cleaning agent (surfactant) to remove the food residues and bacterial agents from the mouth of the consumers. The dyes are only used to provide the color of the paste. Three different types are utilized but the producers stress that FD&C Blue #1 and Yellow #10 dyes are derived from animals to demonstrate how natural their product is. As mentioned above in the introduction, sodium fluoride prevents the teeth from decaying and losing the natural white color. According to the manufactures, the fluoride ions prevents the bacteria in the mouth from producing acids that cause the decay. The other way of preventing decay is by remineralizing the teeth that have been demineralized by the bacterial acids.

The other ingredient is potassium nitrate which according to the producers it calms the nerves of the teeth and by inhibiting the role of the nerve endings which is the transmission of pain impulses to the brain (Sensodyne, 2018). Sodium phosphate according to the manufactures has similar effects as sodium lauryl sulfate to clean the teeth by eliminating food remains. This ingredient is mentioned to have a buffering effect that helps the toothpaste to maintain a pH of 8 to 10 (which is slightly basic). Hydrated silica is used as an abrasive to clean the dental plaque. The producers claim that it has the same effects as the products used to clean kitchen surfaces. The manufacturers claim that the product can be used by both children and adults who have sensitive teeth.

Independent Scientific Research

Sodium fluoride is a product that can be used as a medication or ingredient in health products to make the teeth stronger and more resistant to decay caused by acid and bacteria (Cheng et al., 2017). The acid found in the mouth can be produced by the bacteria or can be introduced through food and fluids consumption. Sodium fluoride functions to ensure that these acids are neutralized to curb their effect on teeth (O’Toole et al., 2015). Sodium fluoride is highly absorbable when ingested, and it accumulates in the calcium concentrated areas. Prolonged use of fluoride salts can result in conditions such as skeletal fluorosis and fatal arrhythmia (Cheng et al., 2017). Products such as toothpaste should not be ingested. The impact of fluorides is different on individuals of different ages. Children tend to be easily affected by products containing fluoride concentration that are safe for adults.

Potassium nitrate is used to calm the nerves found in the teeth. Although the use of this product regularly can provide a painless experience, massive ingestion of this product can produce adverse effects on the consumer. The effects of potassium nitrate are gradual, and hence people should not expect an instant result (Gillam et al., 2018). For a positive impact to be experienced a person is required to consume this product for a minimum of two weeks up to half a year. According to Gillam et al. (2018), potassium nitrate should be used with precaution on breastfeeding and pregnant women. Individuals with allergies should also verify with their doctors if it is safe to use toothpaste containing potassium nitrate.

Sodium phosphate can be used as a buffer for various chemical processes, and when used in toothpaste it facilitates in the removal of dental plaque (Hornby et al., 2014). On the contrary, this ingredient is known to induce vomiting and headache in some individuals. If the toothpaste is accidentally ingested, the consumer can develop severe stomach pain as well as bloating leading to uncomfortable situations (Hornby et al., 2014). Some people can experience diarrhea if high levels of this product are ingested.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is used to cause a foaming effect on the use of toothpaste. On the contrary, this ingredient can cause a detrimental effect on the consumer. The product can irritate existing allergies, canker sores and bad breath (Brown et al., 2018). The consumer can end up feeling a lot of pain, and thus toothpaste containing this ingredient should be used with caution. The flavors in the toothpaste increase preferability by suppressing the bad taste of other component used to manufacture the toothpaste. The taste of this product is left in the mouth for some minutes, and hence it can also alter the taste of other products. For instance, if someone takes a juice a few minutes after brushing the teeth, they will not taste the expected flavor.

Comparison of Scientific Versus Manufacturer’s Research

The manufacture’s analysis primarily relied upon the positive effects of these products and failed to highlight negative impacts this product can have when ingested or used by children. On the other hand, scientific research provided all information regarding the ingredients when used to manufacture toothpaste. Most of the authors considered all the things that can go wrong if this product is not made or used as expected. The manufactures research suggested that sodium fluoride can provide strong teeth and prevent them from decaying by dealing with the acid that is produced by the bacteria in the mouth. They failed to mention the acids introduced in the mouth through feeding. Also, the manufacturer did not highlight that fluorides accumulation in the body can result in medical conditions. Scientific research was kind enough to suggest that this product should only be used on children with doctor’s recommendation. The scientific research also recommended that this toothpaste should be used with caution especially by women if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. The manufactures research did not mention the duration their product will take before a positive result are experienced. The way they were describing it suggested that upon usage a person will not experience sensitivity and the plagues will be entirely eradicated. Additionally, the scientific research has shown who some of the products can cause gastrointestinal effects if swallowed including irritation on mouth sores and allergies.

Conclusion

The manufactures of Sensodyne only included the desired effects of the ingredients used to manufacture this product. Scientific research provided both negative and positive impact of using some of the elements contained in Sensodyne. Some of these effects are worth knowing because they can affect the health of the consumers. The manufactures should provide the true providing the accurate information to the consumers for them to make informed choices regarding using their produce. It is unethical to confine some of the risks associated with using this product. People should not rely entirely on manufactures research because they tend to provide the details that will help market their product. Therefore, people should consider conducting scientific research regarding the primary and active ingredients of the health care products they are consuming. Also, individuals should note the safe percentages of components on the human body and the ones used in the product.

Rewriting the Advert

Sensodyne Anticavity Toothpaste is a product that provides people with white teeth, fresh breath and prevents pain originating from sensitivity. Individuals who have sensitive teeth should only use this product. The toothpaste can remineralize the teeth making them stronger and preventing cavities. All the ingredient have been carefully selected and used to ensure a positive outcome and prevent adverse effects. Children under the age of 6 should not use this product without doctor’s recommendations. The toothpaste should not be swallowed under any circumstances because some adverse effects can be experienced. Please ensure to use this product regularly to get a positive effect on your teeth. It takes a minimum of two weeks up to 6 months for a person not to experience sensitivity of the teeth.

References

Cheng, X., Liu, J., Li, J., Zhou, X., Wang, L., Liu, J., & Xu, X. (2017). Comparative effect of a stannous fluoride toothpaste and a sodium fluoride toothpaste on a multispecies biofilm. Archives of oral biology, 74, 5-11.

O’Toole, S., Mistry, M., Mutahar, M., Moazzez, R., & Bartlett, D. (2015). Sequence of stannous and sodium fluoride solutions to prevent enamel erosion. Journal of dentistry, 43(12), 1498-1503.

Gillam, D. G., Aris, A., Newman, H. N., Ley, F., Swern, A., Friedman, M., & Curro, F. A. (2018). Clinical Evaluation of A 5% Potassium Nitrate Containing Mouthrinse in Relieving Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH). BAOJ Dentistry.

Hornby, K., Ricketts, S. R., Philpotts, C. J., Joiner, A., Schemehorn, B., & Willson, R. (2014). Enhanced enamel benefits from a novel toothpaste and dual phase gel containing calcium silicate and sodium phosphate salts. Journal of dentistry, 42, S39-S45.

Brown, R. S., Smith, L., & Glascoe, A. L. (2018). Inflammatory reaction of the anterior dorsal tongue presumably to sodium lauryl sulfate within toothpastes: a triple case report. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 125(2), e17-e21.

Sensodyne Inc. (2018). Behind the paste: Sensodyne: ingredient and how they work. Retrieved from: https://us.sensodyne.com/why-sensodyne/sensitive-toothpaste-ingredients/

on 3rd December 2018