Which toothpaste for sensitive gums?

For sensitive gums, the best toothpaste for sensitive gums is a fluoride toothpaste (1450 ppm), low-abrasion (low RDA value), enriched with soothing agents such as potassium nitrate or potassium chloride, and free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can be too harsh. Combined with gentle brushing, it helps soothe discomfort, reduce bleeding and protect enamel every day.

What does it mean to have sensitive gums?

The feeling of having sensitive or painful gums generally appears after brushing or flossing. Most often, your painful gums may even start to bleed while brushing your teeth or flossing. This gum pain is usually bearable, and you do not always consider the seriousness of the problem. However, it may indicate gum disease at an early stage.

It is important to know that most cases of periodontal sensitivity are caused by gum inflammation. This inflammation is very common and results from the buildup of dental plaque, often caused by insufficient oral hygiene. Choosing a suitable toothpaste for sensitive gums is therefore part of the solution, just like brushing technique.

To learn more based on your situation, discover our comparison of toothpastes for sensitive gums, as well as our guides on toothpaste for bleeding gums, natural organic toothpaste for fragile gums and toothpaste for gum recession and periodontitis.

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Why do we have sensitive gums?

Enamel wear: the most common cause of gum hypersensitivity

Enamel wear refers to the wearing away of the tooth's outer surface, which is normally particularly resistant. Dentin is made up of nerve endings that communicate with the dental pulp. However, the dentin may no longer be protected and instead become exposed. This phenomenon is caused by the degradation of the enamel layer due to several factors:

• Incorrect brushing: for example, when you brush your teeth in the wrong direction, in other words horizontally.
• Poor oral hygiene: brushing too vigorously contributes to the formation of plaque, which turns into tartar.
• Dental erosion: it is caused by excessive consumption of acidic foods.
• Tooth abrasion: it is caused either by grinding your teeth or chewing particularly hard foods.

Gum recession

Gum recession occurs when gum tissue is lost around the tooth. As a result, the dentin comes into contact not only with food but also with liquids, cold and heat. The teeth therefore become hypersensitive. This phenomenon has several causes:

• A bacterial infection: it generally causes gum inflammation, bleeding and severe pain.
• A medium- or hard-bristled toothbrush: it can damage tooth enamel as well as the gumline, which can irritate the gum tissue.
• The onset of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis and oral cancers.
• Dental floss and interdental brushes: improper or nonexistent use of dental floss or interdental brushes.

Tooth sensitivity after a specific treatment

Certain dental treatments can cause hypersensitivity after the procedure. These symptoms gradually decrease and disappear after some time if you use the right toothpaste for sensitive gums. You should make an appointment with your dentist if tooth sensitivity persists for several weeks. The main treatments concerned are:

• Teeth whitening: the chemicals used, such as hydrogen peroxide, cause tooth sensitivity.
• Gum surgery: it is normal to feel pain at the graft site once the effects of the local anesthetic wear off.
• Scaling: removing subgingival tartar is painful, especially in cases of gingivitis, causing gum pain.
• Filling a cavity: it is normal to experience more or less intense pain when chewing on recently repaired teeth.

Criteria for a good toothpaste for sensitive gums

Not all toothpastes are equal when your gums ache or bleed. Here are the criteria that really make a difference when choosing an effective, gentle toothpaste for sensitive gums.

What to avoid

To avoid worsening sensitivity, it is better to avoid certain products and habits:

• Highly abrasive whitening toothpastes and charcoal powders, which wear down the enamel.
• Formulas too high in SLS, often very foamy, which irritate fragile gums.
• Alcohol-based mouthwashes used over a prolonged period, which dry out and sensitize the mucous membrane.
• A horizontal and vigorous brushing technique with a hard-bristled toothbrush, which accelerates gum recession.

Different homemade toothpastes for sensitive gums

Homemade Marseille soap toothpaste

Marseille soap helps strengthen your gums, making them progressively less sensitive. For this recipe, you need organic artisanal Marseille soap, a few drops of bay laurel essential oil and water.

• Start by grating Marseille soap into a jar.
• Add water and stir to dissolve the soap in the water.
• Add more water to obtain a smooth paste.
• Add 2 or 3 drops of bay laurel essential oil.
• Put the mixture in a lidded jar for storage.

Homemade aloe vera toothpaste

Aloe vera significantly reduces dental plaque and gum inflammation. For this recipe, you need 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 4 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of white clay and 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.

• Gently heat the coconut oil in a bain-marie to melt it.
• Add the white clay and aloe vera.
• Add 2 or 3 drops of essential oil to the mixture.
• Mix all the ingredients you have added.
• Pour the mixture into a sealed container to keep it for at least 1 month.

The original homemade toothpaste for sensitive gums

Chamomile helps fight gingivitis, while powdered iris gently cleans your teeth. For this recipe, you need 1 teaspoon of green clay, 1 teaspoon of white clay, chamomile flowers ground into powder, iris powder and 6 cloves ground into powder.

• Start by putting a teaspoon of white and green clay in a mortar.
• Add the iris powder and the chamomile flowers.
• Also add the 6 cloves, ground into powder.
• Mix everything well with the pestle to obtain a uniform powder.
• Store in a dry place in a tightly sealed jar.

The different brands of toothpaste for sensitive gums

Melvita Sensitive Gums toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €6.90 on the official website. It is an organic-certified toothpaste for sensitive gums. In fact, 99% of its ingredients are of natural origin and 48% are organically sourced. It gently cleans teeth and soothes irritated gums. It contains 3 essential oils that soothe sensitive gums: star anise, clove and sage, known for their purifying properties.

Bio Natessance Sensitive Gums toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €3.40 on the Pharma GDD website. It contains organic aloe vera and ginkgo biloba, which care for your gums while providing freshness. These two plants have soothing and toning properties. It also contains soothing organic echinacea. In addition, it removes dental plaque with its gentle cleansers and works while respecting tooth enamel.

Sanogyl Soin Rose Sensitive Gums toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €3.49 at Leclerc. It is intended for people with gum problems such as redness, swelling and bleeding. Its formula enriched with chlorhexidine and fluoride (1500 ppm) allows gentle brushing with a lower risk of irritation. Chlorhexidine, enoxolone and allantoin have anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces irritation by 64% in 28 days.

Elgydium Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 3.85 euros on the Monoprix Plus website. It reduces dentin hypersensitivity. It penetrates the interdental spaces, gum grooves and the gum-tooth margin for effective brushing. It is gentle and protects against cavities thanks to Fluorinol. Its gel formula offers greater comfort during use.

Sensodyne Complete Protection Toothpaste

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 3.99 euros on the Santédiscount website. It contains stannous fluoride and was designed to provide sensitive teeth with what they need. It restores a protective layer over sensitive areas to combat pain, strengthens and protects the enamel, protects against dental plaque and helps maintain healthy gums.

Parodontax Gum + Sensitivity + Breath Toothpaste

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 3.75 euros on the Shop Pharmacie website. This daily toothpaste is formulated to help stop and prevent gum bleeding, keep gums healthy, maintain strong teeth and fresh breath. Thanks to its concentration of mineral salts and 5 active plant extracts, it fights and neutralizes the bacteria that cause gum irritation.

Gum Gingidex Toothpaste

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 2.85 euros on the PharmaGDD website. It fights dental plaque and helps improve the health of sensitive periodontal tissues. Its formula, enriched with chlorhexidine digluconate, prevents the development of bacteria responsible for plaque. It also contains cetylpyridinium chloride, an anti-plaque agent that neutralizes toxins.

Weleda Toothpaste Gel

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 3.59 euros on the 1001Pharmacies website. It is a gel rich in medicinal plants and essential oils, very gentle, with silicic acid. It effectively cleans teeth and preserves the enamel. Myrrh and chamomile extracts help reduce gum sensitivity.

Arthrodont Classic Gingival Paste Toothpaste

This toothpaste is offered at a price of 3.37 euros on the PharmaGDD website. It was designed to reduce redness, sensitivity and occasional bleeding. It removes dental plaque to limit bacterial proliferation and prevent tartar formation. It contains soothing glycyrrhetinic acid, as well as purifying star anise oil and menthol.

Méridol Gum Protection Toothpaste

It combines Olafluor amine fluoride and stannous fluoride to protect your gums. This combination of two fluorides strengthens the enamel and protects against cavities. It is often combined with Méridol mouthwash for complete action on irritated gums, and aims to reduce plaque and limit its reformation.

You can also choose Y-Brush's mint toothpaste in a tube. This toothpaste contains the right amount of fluoride, namely the 1450 ppm recommended by the French Union for Oral Health for strong protection against cavities.

Good gentle brushing techniques

The best toothpaste for sensitive gums only delivers its full benefits when combined with a gum-friendly brushing technique. Here are the steps to protect your gums.

1. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply a small amount of toothpaste for sensitive gums.
2. Tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum, without pressing hard.
3. Use small, gentle movements, from pink to white (from the gum toward the tooth), never horizontally.
4. Brush for 2 minutes, covering all surfaces, morning and evening.
5. Finish with dental floss or an interdental brush, gently, then rinse.

When should you see a dentist?

Toothpaste for sensitive gums relieves discomfort, but it does not replace professional advice. Make an appointment if your gums bleed regularly, remain swollen or red, if you notice worsening recession, persistent bad breath or loose teeth. These signs may indicate gingivitis or periodontitis requiring treatment.

Go further: how to choose the best toothpaste and toothpaste for receding gums and gum recession.

To compare the formulas and choose yours, discover our toothpaste range.