What ingredients are in toothpaste for sensitive teeth?

Beyond what’s typically in toothpaste , options for sensitive teeth have additional ingredients to address pain and discomfort, as well as help prevent future irritation. Here are a few you might see on ingredient labels, says Botta. Potassium nitrate helps calm the nerves inside teeth. It also blocks the transmission of pain signals from the surface of teeth to the nerves so you don’t feel a sharp sensation when your mouth is exposed to specific triggers, like hot and cold temperatures. Strontium chloride and arginine create a protective barrier over exposed dentin. Stannous fluoride and calcium phosphate remineralize enamel, which protects teeth from future damage.

The 6 best toothpastes for sensitive teeth, according to dentists

Drinking less soda and sparkling water may be on your to-do list after buying a tube.

Updated Sept. 12, 2025, 1:27 PM EDT

Zoe Malin

Reporter

Adults are more prone to tooth sensitivity than children since their teeth naturally get thinner with age, but kids can experience it, too. Ridofranz / Getty Images

$12.49

Target

$12.49

Target

Sensodyne’s toothpaste has everything dentists recommend looking for while shopping: the ADA Seal of Acceptance, a non-abrasive fluoridated formula and potassium nitrate. NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider always keeps a tube at home, and she constantly comes back to it after trying options from other brands. “When I use this toothpaste, I notice that it makes my teeth hurt less, especially when I’m whitening them,” she says. “It doesn’t have the mintiest or freshest flavor, but it cleans my teeth really well.” The toothpaste comes in a recyclable carton and tube.

Best multi-benefit

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste Complete Protection

In addition to reducing sensitivity, Colgate’s Complete Protection toothpaste strengthens enamel — once tooth enamel gets eroded, it’s gone for good, but you can fortify what’s left to prevent sensitivity from worsening, says Salierno. The toothpaste also fights tartar (hardened plaque) and controls plaque when you use it twice a day, according to the brand. It has a foamy texture since it’s made with SLS.

Best whitening

Sensodyne Pronamel Active Shield Whitening

Dr. Erin Fraundorf, a dentist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio, says this is one of her favorite toothpastes. It helps make teeth more resistant to acids to prevent erosion, strengthens enamel and gently scrubs away surface stains so your teeth look brighter over time, according to the brand.

Best for gum health

Crest Pro-Health Gum and Sensitivity

If you’re concerned about gum recession, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, try this ADA-accepted toothpaste from Crest. With regular use, it helps reverse gingivitis, a form of gum disease that causes irritation, by dissolving and lifting away harmful bacteria along the gumline, according to the brand.

Best for enamel

Made by Dentists Enamel Rebuilding Professional Toothpaste

I don’t have particularly sensitive teeth, but it’s something I worry about because my enamel is on the weaker side, so I use Made by Dentists’ Enamel Rebuilding toothpaste as a preventative measure. It has nano-hydroxyapatite in its formula, which works with fluoride to remineralize teeth and make enamel stronger, according to the brand. The toothpaste is SLS-free, so it’s not foamy, which I prefer, and it doesn’t have any artificial dyes or flavors. It comes in a recyclable tube.

Editor’s pick

Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste

“I’ve always had really sensitive teeth, especially to cold, and I was nervous to use whitening treatments because I worried that they might make the problem worse,” says NBC senior social media editor Rosalie Sparaco. “Having a toothpaste that helps my teeth feel less sensitive to cold drinks and whitening is a win-win. I wish it was a slightly stronger mint flavor, but it still leaves my mouth feeling fresh.” This toothpaste also helps reduce tartar buildup, so your teeth feel extra clean and smooth after you use it, according to the brand.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

The exterior of your teeth are made from enamel, a tough, protective outer shell, says Botta. There’s dentin, a soft tissue with tiny nerve endings, beneath that shell. When enamel wears down, or your teeth chip or crack, dentin gets exposed. It’s easily irritated by cold air, pressure from brushing and flossing, and foods or drinks that are very hot, cold, sweet and acidic, says Botta. Once dentin gets irritated, you tend to feel a sharp, lingering pain and discomfort.

Fraundorf says the following factors most commonly lead to tooth erosion:

Aggressive brushing and flossing
Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
Using abrasive toothpaste, like charcoal toothpaste
Grinding or clenching your teeth
Tooth decay and cavities
Consuming acidic foods and drinks, like sports drinks, citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, soda and sparkling water
Medical conditions like acid reflux and dry mouth
Aging

Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity, too. Plaque, a film made from bacteria, food and other debris, irritates your gums when it builds up on teeth. If you don’t remove it by regularly brushing and flossing, your gums can pull back from your teeth, exposing sensitive tooth roots, says Fraundorf. You may also experience tooth sensitivity if you have a cavity, or after dental work like fillings, crowns or teeth whitening treatments, but that’s usually temporary.

Anyone can develop tooth sensitivity over time due to the factors listed above, but some people are predisposed to it due to genetics or naturally having thinner enamel, says Salierno.

A graphic of a tooth labeling different parts, like the enamel, dentin, pulp, gum and root. — Once enamel gets eroded, it exposes dentin, which is easily irritated by triggers like hot and cold temperatures, as well as sugary and acidic foods and drinks.Olivia Ott / NBC News

How to reduce tooth sensitivity

Using a specialized toothpaste isn’t the only thing you can do to reduce tooth sensitivity. Here are some do’s and don’t experts recommend. Also be sure to consult your dentist since they’re an expert on your health. Depending on how severe your sensitivity is, your dentist may recommend stronger treatments that aren’t available over-the-counter.

Do’s

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor, both of which can prevent additional enamel wear and gum irritation, says Fraundorf.
Practice gentle brushing and flossing techniques. If your gums bleed after brushing and/or flossing, it’s a sign that you need to be more gentle while using those oral care products. Also, if the bristles on your toothbrush are frayed, it may be due to pressing them too hard against your teeth.
Use a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen tooth enamel, says Salierno.
Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth, says Salierno.
Regularly see your dentists for checkups so they can catch underlying issues that can contribute to sensitivity, like cavities and gum disease, says Fraundorf.

Don’ts

Avoid using abrasive toothpastes that can wear down enamel, like those made with charcoal or strong whitening agents, including peroxides, says Fraundorf.
Avoid a diet rich in highly acidic and sugary foods and drinks, like soda and citrus fruits, and be careful with anything that’s hot or cold, says Botta.
Avoid at-home teeth whitening treatments, says Fraundorf. Instead, opt for a professional treatment at a dentist’s office so they can tailor it to your teeth and adjust it as necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Beyond what’s typically in toothpaste, options for sensitive teeth have additional ingredients to address pain and discomfort, as well as help prevent future irritation. Here are a few you might see on ingredient labels, says Botta.

Potassium nitrate helps calm the nerves inside teeth. It also blocks the transmission of pain signals from the surface of teeth to the nerves so you don’t feel a sharp sensation when your mouth is exposed to specific triggers, like hot and cold temperatures.
Strontium chloride and arginine create a protective barrier over exposed dentin.

Stannous fluoride and calcium phosphate remineralize enamel, which protects teeth from future damage.

For many people, tooth sensitivity is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, says Botta. It can improve over time, especially if you consult your dentist to address possible underlying causes, like gum recession and enamel erosion. However, most people need to use desensitizing products throughout their life, like toothpaste for sensitive teeth, she says.

“Ignoring tooth sensitivity can lead to bigger problems, so early intervention is key,” says Salierno. If you have minor tooth sensitivity, simple life changes, like cutting out highly acidic beverages and sugary foods, and using specialized oral care products, can prevent the condition from getting worse. But if you’re experiencing persistent, severe sensitivity that’s getting worse, or if you notice swelling and visible damage, it’s time to see your dentist, he says.

You should also see your dentist if tooth sensitivity is interfering with your ability to eat, drink or participate in daily activities, and if sensitivity is occurring in one specific tooth — that might mean it’s cracked, decayed or has a cavity, says Fraundorf. At your appointment, your dentist will evaluate your mouth for cavities, signs of gum disease and other issues, and prescribe a custom treatment plan.

Yes, kids can have sensitive teeth, especially if they grind their teeth or have cavities, says Salierno. Some kids also experience sensitivity due to orthodontic treatment like braces, and as new teeth erupt. If your child complains about tooth sensitivity, be sure to consult a pediatric dentist. That said, tooth sensitivity is more common in adults due to aging, which tends to come with oral changes like thinning enamel and receding gums, says Botta.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Ana Carolina Botta-Maltese is an associate professor of general dentistry at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Erin Fraundorf is a dentist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio.
Dr. Chris Salierno is the chief dental office at Tend.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered oral care products for five years, including electric toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash and toothpaste for kids. To write this article, I spoke to three dentists about the symptoms and causes of tooth sensitivity, as well as how to shop for toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

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