Dentin Hypersensitivity: Management
![Man brushing teeth](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/sensitivity/Getty-brush-man.png?auto=format)
Managing dentin hypersensitivity
![Magnifying glass icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP225_magnifying_glass_Icon_v2.png?auto=format)
IDENTIFY
- Observe patients’ subtle twinges during cleanings or other procedures
- Ask patients about symptoms
- Rule out other causes of pain, like caries and periodontal disease
![Book icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP_Educate_Icon.png?auto=format)
EDUCATE
- Increase patient awareness – they may be unaware that they’re using coping mechanisms such as changing how and what they eat and drink; avoiding brushing and even avoiding dental visits
- Help patients understand how sensitivity is impacting their behavior and quality of life
- Advise them on correct brushing technique and support them to avoid aggressive brushing
![Listening icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP_225_listening_icon.png?auto=format)
RECOMMEND
- Recommend a soft bristled toothbrush and to use a sensitivity toothpaste twice daily
- Recommend Sensodyne and encourage consistent twice daily use, even after pain has been reduced
![Two men eating breakfast](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/sensitivity/GEP228_Man_eatingbreakfast_v2.png?auto=format)
Educating your patients
Patients should be educated on how to manage their dentin hypersensitivity through changes in lifestyle and daily oral hygiene habits. Recommendations could include:1
- Avoid aggressive toothbrushing
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and sensitivity toothpaste, twice daily
- Schedule regular dental appointments
Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for patients with dentin hypersensitivity. Patients can visit www.sensodyne.ca .
Sensitivity toothpastes can have different mechanisms of action2,3
![Dentist speaking with patient](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/sensitivity/GEP229_Patient_Follow_Up_v2.png?auto=format)
Recurring dentin hypersensitivity and patient follow-up
Canadian Advisory Board guidelines for effective long-term management of dentin hypersensitivity recommend reassessing patients’ experience of pain at subsequent appointments. If they still experience dentin hypersensitivity pain they should be followed up and reviewed.2
![Dentine hypersensitivity management algorithm](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/sensitivity/GEP230_Hyper_Mgmt_Algorithm_v2.png.png?auto=format)
Dentin hypersensitivity management: in summary2,3
Flowchart adapted from Canadian Advisory Board on Dentin Hypersensitivity, 2003.
SENSODYNE – #1 Dentist recommended brand for sensitive teeth4
![Tooth Icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GEP162_tooth_icon_v2.png?auto=format)
![Causes and mechanisms](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GEP186_Learn_Hypersensitivity_icon_v2.png?auto=format)
Causes and mechanisms
Find out about the causes and mechanisms behind dentin hypersensitivity.
![Family Icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP_QOL_Icon.png?auto=format)
Impact on patient quality of life
Find out about the impact dentin hypersensitivity has on patients’ daily lives.
![Tooth with magnifying glass icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP_Diagnosis_Icon.png?auto=format)
![Sensodyne logo](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/sensitivity/GEP160_Sensodyne_logo.jpg?auto=format)
![Patient resources icon](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/icons/GSK_GEP_Patient_Resources_Icon.png?auto=format)