Brushing With Whitening Desensitizing Toothpastes Reduces Dentin Permeability Similar to Regular Desensitizing Versions

Objectives: An array of products is directed toward symptom relief of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). One of the approaches to manage DH is alteration of fluid flow in dentinal tubules. Among such products are arginine-containing (ARG) and calcium sodium phosphosilicate-containing (CSPS) toothpastes, which are also available in whitening versions. While occlusion capacity is important, an issue is whether such products would remain on surface as toothpastes (and especially the whitening products) abrade dentin. This study aimed to investigate the role of regular and whitening versions of ARG and CSPS toothpastes, applied in association or not with brushing, on dentin permeability.
Methods: Root slabs from human third molars were embedded, flattened/polished and coated with wax, except for a 1x3-mm window. Specimens were subjected to a validated erosive protocol to create HD lesion and divided into 12 groups (n=10). Five groups were brushed with slurries of one the following toothpastes: ARG (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Regular and Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Whitening), CSPS (Sensodyne Repair & Protect Regular and Sensodyne Repair & Protect Whitening) and ordinary (Crest Cavity Protection). Control group was brushed with distilled water (DW). Other six groups were unbrushed but exposed to DW or toothpaste slurries. Specimens were stained using a histochemical method, sectioned and evaluated for dye penetration to measure dentin permeability. Data analysis were carried out using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.
Results: Regardless of the toothpaste, brushing did not influence dentin permeability (p=0.125). Sensodyne Repair & Protect reduced dentin permeability in comparison to DW (p=0.004), while the other products showed intermediate results.
Conclusions: Dentin permeability was reduced by brushing with whitening desensitizing toothpastes in a similar way as their regular desensitizing counterparts.