A recently released toothpaste by Arm & Hammer promises to end the pain of sensitive teeth. By rebuilding tooth enamel, the toothpaste could have and immediate affect on dentistry in first Great Britian and then in the US.

Sufferers of sensitive teeth have always been able to buy products to mask or dull the pain but now there is new hope that a product could actually reverse some of the problems causing sensitive teeth.

Arm & Hammer’s Enamel Care Sensitive claims to contain a liquid form of calcium, the key component in tooth enamel. The premise is that the calcium in the toothpaste rebuilds the teeth by plugging microscopic gaps in the enamel. This in turn stops dental nerves from becoming exposed and thereby preventing pain.

Arm & Hammer is hoping to capture some of the huge dollars spent on treatments by patients who are unable to drink a cup of tea or eat an ice cream cone with wincing in pain.

Dentist Graham Barnby, who tested the treatment at his clinics in the south of England, said: “This is a unique product. Patients with sensitive teeth who have used the paste have experienced dramatic improvements in just two weeks. The liquid calcium is the key. It uses the minerals naturally present in teeth to help the body mend itself, coating the teeth in a natural substance similar to enamel.”

He goes on, “Current toothpastes aimed at people with sensitive teeth simply mask the pain - this one solves the problem.”

Sensitive teeth is a growing problem as we age and our teeth become more sensitive due to gum recession or erosion of the enamel by extra years of acidic food and drink compared to our ancestors.

Dr Barnby added: “We are living much longer and more people are reaching 60, 70 and 80 with their teeth - but many of them are left suffering pain from sensitivity. This calcium-based toothpaste could offer them some much needed relief.”

A spokesman for Arm & Hammer said: “This is a totally natural way to protect teeth. The toothpaste has eight times the amount of calcium in saliva, it coats the teeth and encourages the enamel to recover.”

Gordon Watkins, a member of the British Dental Association’s science committee, greeted the new product cautiously yet hopeful and said complete scientific trials were necessary to see if it is as effective as claimed.

Mr Watkins went on: “Sensitive teeth are a significant problem for many people. This new toothpaste from Arm and Hammer claims to treat this problem with new technology. The British Dental Association will be interested to see the results of properly constructed clinical trials that demonstrate the claimed benefits for this product together with the long-term outcomes.”

A recent study of low-income African-American adults and teenagers, 14 years old and over, living in Detroit, Michigan, where fluoride is added to the cities drinking water found that 83% of this populations has severe tooth decay. They also had diets high in sugars and fats and low in fruits and vegetables.

The research team wrote that the “The most frequently reported food on a daily basis was tap water.” So, even though fluoridated water is the most consumed item, cavities are extensive when diets are poor. The second and third place foods were soft drinks and potato chips.

Detroit’s toddlers were also suffering in alarming proportions. Almost all of Detroit’s 5 year olds have cavities and for most, they go unfilled.

“Soda and chips are a cheap and accessible belly-filling meal,” says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation. “Fluoridation delivers only risks to poorly-fed Americans without any benefits,” says Beeber.

Low-Income Americans are often priced out of healthy eating and therefore may be suffering from the opposite effect intended by fluoridated water.

Further evidence that fluoridation fails:

- In Illinois, where fluoridation is state-mandated for cities and towns, 70% of Spanish-speaking-only and where only 50% of English-speaking-only third-graders have cavities.

- In New York State, when looking at all counties, cavity rates are not lower in fluoridated counties.

- A federal government study shows that low-income children’s primary tooth decay has spiked upwards. Non-poor children’s primary decay rates were stable .

“It’s possible that those who drink free fluoridated tap water may actually have more cavities,” says Beeber. Beeber also says that, “Recent media reports blaming bottled water for cavity increases are unscientific, illogical and deceptive.”

Over 1/3 of all U.S. school children show signs of dental fluorosis (discolored and/or pitted teeth due to fluoride). The excess fluoride leads to increased decay in their teeth.

“Fluoride is ineffective in non-healthy eaters and of no benefit to healthy eaters,” says Beeber.

Taking care of our teeth as we age is more important than ever. With the average lifespan increasing every year, our teeth need to last longer than before and require more maintenance to keep them for as long as we can. Early diagnosis of problems can prevent much more serious problems down the road including serious problems like gingivitis and pneumonia.

If you are a caregiver or spouse then the following signs should be watched for and immediately seen by a professional:

Dentures: Check for broken or missing pieces especially on dentures that are older or well worn. Also check for dentures that no longer fit. Older people often lose weight as they age, which changes the fit of the denture and can cause sores and infection if left untreated too long.

Malignancies: Look for changes in the gums and oral tissue, especially among smokers. Serious problems would be growths, patches or lesions in the mouth.

Dry mouth: As we get older, we produce less saliva, which causes dryness and discomfort. Dry mouth can also cause bad breath and often leads to increased bacteria and cavities. Many medications are known to cause dry mouth.

Bad breath: It may simple be bad breath but it could also be numerous other more serious illnesses. Check prescription drug warning labels for side effects of halitosis. Other reasons for bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Often older people will forget to brush or won’t remember if they did or didn’t already thus leading to bad breath.

As a caregiver, being aware of these signs can make the difference between a partner that is loving and happy to one that is riddled with oral pain and discomfort.