We noticed the same thing with citrus toothpaste—it actually made my teeth feel worse, weirdly enough. Switched to a store-brand sensitive toothpaste (cheaper but same active ingredient), and after a week or two, cold drinks were way less painful. Might be worth considering...
"Switched to a store-brand sensitive toothpaste (cheaper but same active ingredient), and after a week or two, cold drinks were way less painful."
Interesting you mention that, because I've tried the store-brand sensitive toothpastes too, and while they did help a bit, I found the relief didn't last as long as I'd hoped. Eventually, I switched to a toothpaste with hydroxyapatite instead of the usual potassium nitrate or fluoride-based ones. Honestly, it was a game changer for me. Took about three weeks to really notice a difference, but now I can actually bite into ice cream without cringing (which is huge for me, lol).
I think sometimes it's not just about the active ingredient itself but how your teeth respond individually. Citrus toothpastes always felt harsh to me too—maybe it's the acidity? Anyway, glad you're finding something that works better for you. If sensitivity ever creeps back in, maybe give hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste a shot...worked wonders in my case.
"Took about three weeks to really notice a difference, but now I can actually bite into ice cream without cringing (which is huge for me, lol)."
Haha, biting into ice cream without flinching sounds like a dream. I've tried hydroxyapatite toothpaste too, and it was decent—definitely noticed less sensitivity after a few weeks—but weirdly enough, the store-brand potassium nitrate ones worked better for me long-term. Guess teeth really do have their own personalities...or maybe mine are just stubborn. Glad you found something that sticks though!
Totally relate to the stubborn teeth thing, haha. I've bounced around between a bunch of toothpastes myself—tried hydroxyapatite for a bit and it was okay, but didn't quite hit the mark for me either. Weirdly enough, I found that switching to a softer toothbrush made a bigger difference than the toothpaste itself. My dentist mentioned that aggressive brushing can actually make sensitivity worse, and I realized I'd been scrubbing like I was cleaning grout or something...oops.
Also, budget-wise, I've noticed store-brand potassium nitrate pastes seem just as effective as the pricier name brands. Glad to hear others have had similar experiences. Teeth really do seem to have their own quirks—what works wonders for one person might do nothing for another. Anyway, awesome that you're finally enjoying ice cream pain-free. Small victories like that feel pretty huge when you've dealt with sensitivity for ages.
"My dentist mentioned that aggressive brushing can actually make sensitivity worse, and I realized I'd been scrubbing like I was cleaning grout or something...oops."
Haha, this is so relatable—I swear I used to brush like I was sanding down furniture. Took me ages (and a few awkward dentist visits) to realize gentle brushing actually does the trick way better. Glad you found something that's working for you! Teeth really are weirdly picky; it's like trial-and-error meets dental roulette. Keep enjoying that pain-free ice cream—you've earned it.
