Switching to a soft-bristled brush made a difference for me too, especially after I chipped a veneer and had to pay out of pocket to fix it. Curious—has anyone found a budget-friendly toothpaste that doesn’t mess with crowns or sensitive teeth? I’m always worried about wasting money on stuff that doesn’t help.
Honestly, I hear you on the cost of fixing veneers—those little chips feel like a punch to the wallet. When it comes to toothpaste, I usually recommend sticking with ones labeled for sensitive teeth and avoiding anything too abrasive (the “whitening” ones can be sneaky rough). Sensodyne’s often on sale, and even store brands with potassium nitrate can do the trick. Just make sure there’s no baking soda or charcoal—those can scratch up crowns and veneers over time. Funny enough, my sister swears by the Target generic, and her crowns are still hanging in there... for now.
I totally relate to the sticker shock when veneers chip—my front one cracked after biting into a baguette, and I nearly cried thinking about the cost. I’ve also wondered if those “sensitive” toothpastes actually make a difference long-term. I used Crest Pro-Health for a while, but then my dentist said it was a bit gritty for veneers. Have you noticed any difference between Sensodyne and the generics? I’m tempted by the store brands, but nervous they’ll be too harsh.
Have you noticed any difference between Sensodyne and the generics? I’m tempted by the store brands, but nervous they’ll be too harsh.
I’ve tried both, and honestly, Sensodyne feels a bit smoother to me. The generic one I used left my teeth feeling weirdly filmy—could just be in my head, but I switched back fast. My dentist said to look for low abrasiveness on the label, but sometimes it’s not clear. I’d stick with name brands for veneers, just to be safe.
I’d stick with name brands for veneers, just to be safe.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a different experience with generics. After my crowns and bonding work, I was pretty paranoid about toothpaste choices too. My dentist said the active ingredients (like potassium nitrate for sensitivity) are often identical between generics and Sensodyne, so I gave the store brand a shot—mainly because it was half the price.
Honestly, I didn’t notice any extra harshness or weird residue. No increased sensitivity either. The texture was maybe a bit different, but not in a bad way—just not quite as creamy? I double-checked the RDA (abrasiveness) ratings online for both, and they were really close.
That said, I totally get wanting to play it safe if you’ve got expensive dental work. Maybe it’s just down to personal preference and how your mouth reacts. But from my end, the generic didn’t cause any problems—and my wallet definitely appreciated it.
