Dentinal hypersensitivity?--Can this agent be the solution?
OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of desensitizing tooth paste containing EMS salts in alleviating dentinal hypersensitivity, reducing plaque accumulation, and reducing gingivitis.


METHODS
A randomised, single blind, parallel placebo controlled study was conducted in 40 cases. The cases were randomly assigned to test and control groups. The test group was instructed to use the test tooth paste (containing EMS salts) and control group a placebo tooth paste (without any therapeutic agents) for a period of 6 weeks. The hypersensitivity levels were measured with scratchometer and verbal rating scale. Student t test and wilcoxon's Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the test and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that both the test as well as the control toothpastes were effective in alleviating dentinal hypersensitivity as well as reducing gingivitis. However, the test toothpaste was superior in alleviation of dentinal hypersensitivity.
Madhu
Preetha S S
PS
Department of Periodontics, SDMCDS, Sattur, Dharwad. drmadhupreetha@yahoo.com
Setty
Swati
S
Ravindra
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012492:Salts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013431:Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003802:Dentifrices; C427003:Emser Salt; D009566:Nitrates; D010919:Placebos; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012492:Salts; D013431:Sulfates; D014100:Toothpastes; C012036:sodium sulfate; C031512:potassium sulfate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; C023844:potassium nitrate