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Evidence summaries

Potassium Nitrate Toothpaste for Dentine Hypersensitivity

Potassium nitrate toothpaste may have some effect for dentine hypersensitivity but the evidence is weak. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 6 studies with a total of 390 subjects. Meta-analysis of these trials showed a statistically significant effect of potassium nitrate toothpaste on air blast and tactile sensitivity at the 6 to 8 weeks follow up (air blast sensitivity score: standardized mean difference -1.25, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.851 in favour of treatment). The subjective assessment failed to show a significant effect at the 6 to 8 week assessment.

Comment: The quality of evidence was downgraded by sparse data and inconsistency.

    References

    • Poulsen S, Errboe M, Lescay Mevil Y, Glenny AM. Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006 Jul 19;3:CD001476. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords