Which toothpaste for sensitive gums?

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

What does it mean to have sensitive gums?

The sensation 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 should be noted that the majority of cases of periodontal sensitivity are caused by gum inflammation. This inflammation is very common and results from the accumulation of dental plaque, often caused by insufficient oral hygiene. Choosing a suitable toothpaste for sensitive gums is therefore part of the solution, alongside brushing technique.

Why do we have sensitive gums?

Enamel wear: the most common cause of hypersensitivity in the gums

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Enamel wear refers to wear of the tooth’s outer surface, which is normally particularly resistant. Dentin contains nerve endings that communicate with the dental pulp. However, dentin can sometimes become unprotected and exposed. This phenomenon is caused by the degradation of the enamel layer due to several factors:

• Poor 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: this is caused either by grinding your teeth or chewing relatively hard foods.

Gum recession

Gum recession occurs when there is a loss of gum tissue 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 can be caused by several factors:

• A bacterial infection: it generally causes gum inflammation, bleeding, and severe pain.
• A medium- or hard-bristled toothbrush: it can damage tooth enamel and the gumline, which may irritate 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 around the graft once the effects of the local anesthetic wear off.
• Scaling: removing tartar below the gumline is painful, especially in cases of gingivitis, which causes gum pain.
• Filling a cavity: it is normal to feel more or less intense pain when chewing with recently repaired teeth.

The criteria for a good toothpaste for sensitive gums

Not all toothpastes are equally effective when your gums feel sore 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 best to avoid certain products and habits:

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

The different homemade toothpastes for sensitive gums

Homemade Marseille soap toothpaste

Marseille soap helps strengthen your gums, making them less and 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 jar with a lid for storage.

Homemade toothpaste with aloe vera

Aloe vera significantly reduces dental plaque and gingival 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 as well as the aloe vera.
• Add 2 or 3 drops of essential oil to the preparation.
• 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 a powder, iris powder, and 6 cloves ground into a powder.

• Start by placing one teaspoon of white and green clay in a mortar.
• Add the iris powder as well as the chamomile flowers.
• Also add the 6 cloves, ground into a 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 cleansing properties.

Bio Natessance Sensitive Gums Toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €3.40 on the Pharma GDD website. It contains aloe vera and organic 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), enables 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 available for €3.85 on the Monoprix Plus website. It reduces dentin hypersensitivity. It penetrates the interdental spaces, gum lines, and the gum-tooth boundary for effective brushing. It is gentle and protects against cavities thanks to Fluorinol. Its gel formula provides greater comfort during use.

Sensodyne Complete Protection Toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €3.99 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 enamel, protects against dental plaque, and helps maintain healthy gums.

Parodontax Gum + Sensitivity + Breath Toothpaste

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

Gum Gingidex Toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €2.85 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 growth of bacteria responsible for plaque. It also contains cetylpyridinium chloride, an anti-plaque agent that neutralizes toxins.

Weleda Toothpaste Gel

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

Arthrodont Classic Gingival Paste Toothpaste

This toothpaste is available for €3.37 on the PharmaGDD website. It was designed to reduce redness, sensitivity, and occasional bleeding. It removes dental plaque to limit bacterial growth and prevent tartar formation. It contains soothing glycyrrhetinic acid, as well as cleansing 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 enamel and protects against cavities. It is often combined with Méridol mouthwash for comprehensive care of irritated gums, and aims to reduce plaque and limit its reformation.

You can also choose the Y-Brush mint toothpaste in a tube. It contains the right amount of fluoride—in other words, the 1,450 ppm recommended by the French Union for Oral Health for good protection against cavities.

Good gentle brushing techniques

The best toothpaste for sensitive gums can only deliver its full benefits with a gentle 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. Angle the toothbrush at 45 degrees 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. Complement brushing with dental floss or an interdental brush, gently, then rinse.

When should you see a dentist?

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