The 5 Best Toothpastes for Sensitive Teeth

Choose the Perfect Tooth Sensitivity Toothpaste

If you have sensitive teeth the first step is to figure out why your teeth hurt. Once you’ve figured out the cause of your tooth sensitivity you can explore how to deal with it. Finding the right toothpaste for sensitive teeth will save you from unpleasant painful brushing experiences while keeping your teeth in great shape. 

1. NOBS Toothpaste Tablets by biöm

A toothbrush topped with NOBS toothpaste sits waiting to be used.

NOBS Toothpaste Tablets by biöm are the best fluoride-free toothpaste formulated with nano hydroxyapatite to soothe hypersensitivity and fight tooth decay without any fluoride toxicity.

Because nano hydroxyapatite is the natural material that your teeth and bones are already made of, brushing with it is the best way to remineralize your teeth. This process strengthens your enamel, reduces tooth sensitivity, and even helps protect your teeth from decay and cavities.

Plus, in addition to nano hydroxyapatite, NOBS uses all-natural mint (no artificial flavors here!), zinc citrate, and baking soda to gently clean your teeth and prevent plaque buildup.

NOBS Toothpaste Tablets are:

  • 100% Plastic Free, Sustainable, & Zero Waste
  • Glycerin, paraben, SLS, fluoride, and gluten-free
  • Safe pregnant women and children
  • Travel-friendly and mess-free

1. Sensodyne

A box of Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste.
Extra Fresh Repair & Protect is just one of Sensodyne’s many options for sensitive tooth toothpaste. Image courtesy of sensodyne.com

Sensodyne offers a variety of toothpaste options, all of which are designed specifically for sensitive teeth. All of their toothpastes contain one of two important ingredients when it comes to sensitive teeth–potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride

Potassium nitrate soothes the nerves inside your teeth. Sensodyne promises 24/7 protection for sensitive teeth if used twice a day and potassium nitrate helps them deliver that promise. This ingredient stops the nerves in your teeth from sending pain signals when you encounter triggers (like hot or cold beverages) throughout the day.  

Stannous fluoride protects dentin, the soft exposed part of your tooth. The goal of stannous fluoride is to keep triggers from ever reaching the nerves, therefore avoiding pain signals altogether. 

Along with one of those two ingredients, all Sensodyne toothpastes also contain fluoride for cavity protection. 

Since all Sensodyne toothpastes are made for sensitive teeth, you can choose a toothpaste that fits all your needs. Sensodyne offers:

  • Whitening Teeth
  • Fast Sensitive Teeth Relief
  • Extra Fresh Breath
  • Plaque and Gum Protection
  • Sensitive Teeth Repair
  • Multi-Benefit
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free
  • Enamel Strengthening

2. Colgate SF and Colgate Sensitive 

A box of Colgate Sensitive Complete Protection and a box of Colgate Sensitive Prevent & Repair.
Colgate Sensitive toothpastes contain potassium nitrate to soothe and protect sensitive teeth. Colgate SF toothpastes contain stannous fluoride instead, which serves the same purpose in a different way. Image courtesy of colgate.com.

Colgate sensitive toothpastes include all the same ingredients as their usual toothpastes with the addition of special ingredients that block the tubules in dentin, keeping sensitivity triggers from accessing the nerves in your teeth. 

Colgate SF toothpastes contain stannous fluoride for anti-cavity, anti-gingivitis, and anti-sensitivity protection. 

Colgate Sensitive toothpastes contain potassium nitrate for anti-sensitivity and sodium fluoride for anti-cavity.

Colgate says using their sensitivity toothpastes will significantly reduce tooth sensitivity after a week or two, but you might even notice a difference after a few days. 

Colgate also recommends rubbing sensitivity toothpaste directly on sensitive areas along with regular brushing to get better and faster results. 

Colgate makes sensitive tooth versions of their usual toothpaste options, including:

  • SF Whitening
  • SF Advanced Whitening
  • SF Daily Repair
  • SF Deep Clean
  • SF Fresh + Whitening 
  • Sensitive Lasting Fresh
  • Sensitive Prevent & Repair
  • Sensitive Complete Protection
  • Sensitive Whitening
  • Enamel Health Sensitivity Relief

3. Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive 

A box of Tom's of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpaste.
Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpaste comes in a refreshing fresh mint flavor. Image courtesy of tomsofmaine.com

If you’re looking for a natural option for sensitivity toothpaste, Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpaste is natural and fluoride free. Tom’s of Maine’s sensitivity toothpaste uses arginine and calcium carbonate to seal off access to the nerves in your teeth to block pain. 

Tom’s of Maine’s formula relieves sensitive tooth pain within a minute and creates long-lasting protection when used continually. Tom’s of Maine also recommends applying the sensitivity toothpaste directly to sensitive areas with a fingertip and massaging gently for a minute to get rapid relief. 

Tom’s of Maine toothpaste is made without fluoride, artificial flavors, artificial colors, artificial preservatives, and animal ingredients. It also is never tested on animals. The Tom’s of Maine website lists the natural source for each ingredient, so you can know exactly what is in your toothpaste and feel good about it. 

4. Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste

A box of Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste.
Squigle’s Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste is a great option if weakened or decaying enamel is the cause of your tooth sensitivity. Image courtesy of squigle.com

If weakened enamel is causing your tooth sensitivity, Squigle’s Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste is a great option. Tooth Builder is 36% natural xylitol, an ingredient from birch trees which prevents plaque. Tooth Builder boasts more natural xylitol than any other toothpaste.

Squigle’s sensitive toothpaste contains calcite from limestone to plug open tubules to dentin and help heal decay. In addition to calcite and natural xylitol, Squigle’s Tooth Builder sensitive toothpaste has only seven other ingredients–they list the source of these ingredients on their website as well. Tooth Builder toothpaste is fluoride free. 

Squigle says you’ll start experiencing relief from tooth sensitivity within a week if you brush for two minutes, two to three times a day (after eating). They also recommend flossing each time before you brush and gently brushing your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the inside of your cheeks, rinsing after each step. 

The effective and non-abrasive ingredients in Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste help avoid:

  • Sensitive teeth 
  • Bad breath
  • Canker sores
  • Gum disease
  • Cavities 
  • Plaque, tartar
  • Surface stain
  • Perioral dermatitis
  • Chapped lips 

5. hello sensitivity relief fluoride toothpaste

A tube and a box of hello sensitivity relief toothpaste.
This sensitivity relief fluoride toothpaste from hello is cruelty free, vegan, bpa free, and made in the U.S.A. Image courtesy of hello-products.com

hello sensitivity relief fluoride toothpaste contains the highest level of the active ingredient potassium nitrate allowed by the FDA.

Another one of the main ingredients in hello’s sensitivity relief toothpaste is aloe. hello explains that aloe vera gel has been found to be just as, if not more, effective at cleaning teeth as two commercial toothpastes. Aloe vera is non-abrasive and soothing, so it’s a great tooth cleaner for those with tooth sensitivity. 

hello flavors their sensitive toothpaste with mint and coconut oil, making it soothing, cool, and refreshing. 

hello promises relief from sensitivity pain, gentle whitening, enamel protection, and cavity prevention. Their products are also vegan, cruelty free, bpa-free, and made in the U.S.A with globally sourced ingredients. 

A toothbrush ready with sensitivity toothpaste from a nearby tube waits to be used.
Finding the right toothpaste for your sensitive teeth can soothe tooth pain and help prevent sensitivity long term. 

Having sensitive teeth does not have to compromise your dental health. Check out these excellent options for toothpastes that do everything you need while soothing and protecting sensitive teeth and talk to your dentist about the best toothpaste for your teeth. 

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