Weirdly enough, fluoride-free toothpaste made my teeth feel like I'd just bitten into ice cream—ouch. Switched back to fluoride (the cheap grocery store brand, because budgets...) and the sensitivity chilled out pretty quick. Maybe my teeth are just stubbornly old-school, haha. But yeah, softer brushes are a total game changer; can't believe I spent years scrubbing like I was polishing silverware.
I've had a similar experience with fluoride-free toothpaste. Thought I'd try something more "natural," and within a week my teeth felt like they were made of glass—cold drinks became my worst enemy. Switched back, and things settled down pretty quick. Maybe some of us just aren't meant for the fluoride-free life?
Also totally feel you on the brushing thing...I used to scrub my teeth like they owed me money, thinking harder was better. My dentist gently told me I was basically sanding away my enamel. Switching to a softer brush made such a difference, can't believe how long it took me to figure that out. Did you notice less gum irritation after switching brushes too?
I get the fluoride-free thing isn't for everyone, but it might depend on the brand or ingredients. We switched to a different natural toothpaste and didn't have sensitivity issues. Maybe it's worth experimenting a bit more before ruling it out completely...
