title: Clinical efficacy of desensitizing mouthwashes for the control of dentin hypersensitivity and root sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the efficacy of desensitizing mouthwashes for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) and root sensitivity (RS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough search in MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Plus Library was conducted up to February 2015. Randomized clinical trials, parallel, double-blinded and placebo-controlled, with a follow-up of at least 6 weeks, reporting changes on response to tactile stimuli, thermal/evaporative stimuli or patients' subjective assessment of the pain experienced during their daily life after the home use of desensitizing mouthwashes were considered for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The screening of titles and abstracts resulted in seven publications meeting the eligibility criteria. The desensitizing agents evaluated were potassium nitrate (n = 5), aluminium lactate (n = 1) and sodium fluoride (n = 1). A meta-analysis for each of the hypersensitivity stimuli was performed. Results demonstrated statistically significant reduction in sensitivity scores favouring test group when DH was assessed by means of patients' self-reported pain experience (SMD at 8 weeks = 0.77; 95% CI [0.23; 1.31]; P = 0.005). No significant effects were detected in response to tactile or thermal/evaporative stimuli. Meta-regression analysis demonstrated a tendency towards an increased effect favouring test group for the patients' subjective perception, whereas tactile and thermal/evaporative stimuli showed a slight tendency towards a reduction in the efficacy of the test mouthwash.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There exists a tendency towards a decrease in DH or RS scores with time in both treatment groups, with significant differences in favour of test group when sensitivity is evaluated in terms of patients' self-reported sensitivity symptoms.
authors.affiliation: University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Gargallo
authors.affiliation: University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tobías
authors.affiliation: University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.affiliation: University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martín
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007773:Lactates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D057566:Self Report; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014092:Tooth Root
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D057133:Dentin Desensitizing Agents; D007773:Lactates; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009566:Nitrates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; C023844:potassium nitrate; C104223:aluminum lactate
keywords: dentin hypersensitivity; desensitizing mouthwash; efficacy; meta-analysis; root sensitivity; systematic review