Very curious as I was doing some toothpaste shopping. I’ve recently started having sensitive teeth and would like to know if it works and how. Thank you
In: Biology
Wow an ELI5 I can actually help with. There are two ways toothpastes help with sensitivity. Occlusion (blocking) of the dentin tubules or desensitization of the pupal nerve.
ELI5:
You feel pain when a button is pushed. Someone has to run down a tunnel to press the button. Usually there is a door (enamel) but sometimes the door is broken or worn down, so someone keeps running in and pressing the button. Your teeth has a bunch of buttons inside them.
What toothpaste 1 does: Occlusion/blocking.
Every time you brush you put a brick down. As time goes by the place where the door would be is covered by a brick wall. No one and run down the tunnel and press the button.
What toothpaste 2 does: desensitization
Every time you brush you mess with the button a bit. As time goes by the button stops working. So when someone runs down the tunnel and presses the button, nothing happens.
Of course there are different actives, different properties, but if you have more questions I can answer them in the comments.
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