Best Mouthwash for Sensitive Teeth in the UK: We Compare Top Products

If you are shopping around for the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth in the UK, you may have realised there are quite a few types with different ingredients. Finding the right mouthwash for your needs is important, but how do you know which one will benefit you the most?

You could choose any sensitive mouthwash, but it may not be the right one for you depending on the cause of your teeth and gum sensitivity. This article will discuss the different types of mouthwashes available, their ingredients, and the following topics and questions:

• What is teeth sensitivity and what causes it? 
• Which mouthwash is right for you? 
• What ingredients are in a sensitive mouthwash?
• What is the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth in the UK?
• Is there anything else you can do to help with sensitivity?

Using a mouthwash alone will most likely not be enough to manage sensitive teeth, but using it alongside a good oral hygiene routine can help.

The following table is a summary of all of the products that we will discuss in this article:

There are also other remedies and changes you can make to help with sensitivity, but for now, let’s start with teeth sensitivity and its causes. 

What is teeth sensitivity and what causes it? 

If you have sensitive teeth, you may get a sharp pain or dull ache in your teeth when you eat or drink hot, cold, sugary or acidic food and drinks. The condition may also be triggered by simply breathing in cold air or brushing your teeth. It can be frustrating and cause you to stop enjoying your favourite food or drinks, and it can be quite worrying for some.  

There is not just one cause of sensitive teeth and gums, and sometimes it may be caused by underlying issues. Many people get pain and discomfort from sensitive teeth that can come and go, but if it lasts for a prolonged period or the pain is intense then it’s important to get an appointment with a dentist. 

Some of the causes of sensitive teeth and gums include: 

• Thinning or worn down enamel 
• Cracked or damaged teeth 
• Exposed tooth roots 
• Gingivitis 
• Gum erosion  
• A worn-out, ill-fitting or new filling
• Pregnancy
• Tooth decay and cavities 

Depending on the cause of your teeth sensitivity or sore gums you may need dental treatment, and it's always best to consult your dentist if you have concerns. However, there are some sensitive teeth remedies that you can help with any temporary pain and discomfort or while you wait for an appointment. 

The following video helps to explain sensitive teeth, especially to cold, and how a sensitivity mouthwash could help.

Which mouthwash is right for you?

There are hundreds of different mouthwashes on the market, but not many of them are specifically for sensitive teeth. Even though there isn’t a huge amount of choice it's important you choose one that can address your particular needs. 

There are 2 main types of sensitive mouthwash, therapeutic and gentle. Therapeutic mouthwashes help to treat the condition, whereas gentle ones don’t aggravate your teeth and gums further. 

The cause of your pain and discomfort should factor into your decision. If you have sensitive teeth and sore gums from gingivitis then you may want to choose a mouthwash with antibacterial qualities. These types of mouthwashes should only be used as a short-term solution though. 

If you have thinning or worn down enamel, a fluoride or remineralising mouthwash would be suitable to help strengthen and remineralise your enamel.  

Ingredients may also influence your decision. Some people want a fluoride-free mouthwash, a homemade mouthwash or one with natural ingredients. 

What ingredients are in a sensitive mouthwash?

When shopping for an effective sensitive mouthwash you can look for certain ingredients that have been proven to help with sensitivity or sore gums. Some of those ingredients include the following:

• Dipotassium Oxalate Monohydrate: This ingredient is often used to help block dentin tubules and reduce sensitivity, but there is conflicting evidence on its efficacy.
• Arginine: Proven to effectively block exposed dentin tubules to reduce sensitivity when used in mouthwash.
• Calcium and potassium ions: This ingredient is used to remineralise dental enamel, and helps to reduce the number of exposed dentin tubules. 
• Potassium Citrate: Desensitises the nerves in your teeth which helps to reduce sensitivity.
• Potassium Nitrate: This ingredient helps to stop the nerves passing on the pain message, and therefore reduces the feeling of sensitivity.
• Chlorhexidine digluconate: This ingredient doesn’t treat sensitivity, instead it is an antibacterial that helps to treat gingivitis, which would help with sore gums that can sometimes trigger sensitive teeth. 

If you have thinning or worn enamel then using a mouthwash with remineralising ingredients can help to stop teeth sensitivity. However, if your gums are sore causing your teeth to feel more sensitive then you may want to try a mouthwash with the ingredient chlorhexidine digluconate.

This study shows that using a mouthwash with chlorhexidine is effective against gingivitis if used for 4 to 6 weeks alongside regular brushing. To be effective against gum disease a mouthwash needs between 0.12% or 0.2% concentration of chlorohexidine, so make sure you check before you buy.

What should you avoid in a mouthwash if you have sensitive teeth?

While there are not many options when it comes to buying a mouthwash for sensitive teeth and gums, there are a few things you can make sure to avoid. Certain ingredients can aggravate your teeth and gums which can easily be avoided if you know what they are! These ingredients include: 

• Alcohol – can cause gum irritation or a burning sensation which can trigger teeth sensitivity
• SLS – can cause gum irritation and trigger further teeth sensitivity 
• Strong mint flavours – mint can trigger sensitivity for some people so if you are finding your sensitive mouthwash is not helping it may be for this reason

How to use a mouthwash for sensitive teeth to get the best results

Most people assume that you just use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth, but that's not strictly true!

The optimal time to use mouthwash is after meals or in the middle of the day when you can’t brush your teeth. That's because if you use it directly after brushing your teeth you wash away all the goodness from your toothpaste that is still working its magic.

Some of the steps to using mouthwash include:

1. Make sure to read the label correctly and follow instructions 
2. Measure out the correct amount 
3. Swish it about in your mouth without swallowing any 
4. Spit 
5. Don’t rinse your mouth with water afterwards, leave the mouthwash residue to work for the next 30 minutes before eating or drinking 

What is the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth in the UK?

Now that you know what to look for, and what to avoid, let’s take a look at our top picks for the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth and gums. But, before we get started, it is important to remember though that whichever mouthwash you choose must be used in conjunction with a good oral hygiene routine. 

For sensitive mouthwash to really be effective it is best used alongside other sensitive teeth remedies such as sensitive toothpaste and serums. 

Best mouthwash for sensitive teeth and gums

Listerine Advanced Defence Sensitive Mouthwash has the main active ingredient dipotassium oxalate monohydrate which works to stop sensitive teeth in their tracks. It blocks the dentin tubules completely which means that if you have sensitivity triggered by hot or cold, spicy or sugary food and drink, you shouldn't after using this mouthwash. Listerine claims it can stop nearly 100% of the microscopic holes, and shields against sensitivity. 

This mouthwash also has the added benefit of containing fluoride which should help to strengthen your enamel as well as desensitise your teeth. And although this mouthwash has a mint flavour, it is only very mild so it should freshen your breath without triggering any sensitivity. 

Listerine Advanced Defense Sensitive is alcohol-free, but unfortunately it does contain SLS which may cause some people irritation. 

Mouthwash for sensitive teeth pain relief

Sensodyne mouthwash for sensitive teeth is one of the best mouthwashes for reducing pain from sensitivity. This is because it contains the ingredient potassium nitrate which works by stopping the nerves from sending pain messages.

Sensodyne Cool Mint Sensitive Care Mouthwash is easily found on the high street or online and is widely popular. It has a mint flavour, but it is very mild so it shouldn’t trigger any sensitivity and it is alcohol and SLS free. 

Another benefit of this mouthwash is that it contains fluoride that helps to strengthen your teeth enamel as you use it.

Best remineralising mouthwash 

REGENERATE is best known for its range of remineralising products, one of which being its Advanced Foaming Mouthwash. This mouthwash helps to reduce sensitivity by restoring enamel after acid attacks and reversing enamel erosion. 

This mouthwash is alcohol-free and has antibacterial properties for effective cleaning. And, as the name suggests, it uses foam technology to release microbubbles which help the mouthwash get between your teeth into every nook and cranny. 

The foam technology also creates an enhanced sensory experience for those that appreciate such things. Another added benefit of this mouthwash is that it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans to use. 

Antibacterial mouthwash for sensitive teeth

Corsodyl Treatment Mouthwash is a type of antimicrobial mouthwash, which makes it a great treatment for gum disease. However, be aware that any antimicrobial mouthwashes should only be used short-term as a treatment and not as part of your regular oral hygiene routine.

Follow the instructions from your dentist or on the label carefully, and remember that if you use this product long term it may stain your teeth. Don’t worry though, the staining is not permanent and can be removed by a hygienist, but it's worth avoiding that problem altogether. 

This mouthwash contains the main ingredient chlorohexidine which can help treat gum disease, but it will not work alone. Gum disease will come back if you don’t maintain a good oral hygiene routine. 

If you do seem to regularly get symptoms of gingivitis it is best to discuss them with your dentist rather than frequently using a mouthwash like this. 

Natural mouthwash for sensitive teeth

If you are looking for a more natural mouthwash for sensitive teeth then you can try AloeDent Aloe Vera Mouthwash. It is alcohol, SLS and fluoride-free and contains natural ingredients such as: 

• Tea Tree Oil: natural antiseptic properties
• Aloe Vera: helps to sooth sore gums 
• Gotu Kola: anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties

While this mouthwash doesn’t contain any of the ingredients for decreasing sensitivity, it will soothe sore gums and help with gingivitis and plaque reduction when used alongside a good oral hygiene routine. AloeDent mouthwash has a minty flavour that is not overpowering, and is suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans. 

What else can you do to help reduce sensitive teeth?

Even if you use the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth and gums, you will find that mouthwash alone is not enough to help reduce pain and discomfort. Having a good oral hygiene routine will help to reduce sensitivity by fighting gingivitis, tooth decay, and cavities, and it can even help to remineralise enamel if you use the right products.

Some of the things that you can do to help with sensitive teeth and gums include: 

• Use a manual or electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth with soft bristles 
• Make sure you don’t use too much pressure when brushing 
• Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks
• If you grind your teeth use a mouthguard while you sleep
• Use whitening products specifically for sensitive teeth 
• Brush your teeth with specialised toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums 
• Add sensitive teeth remedies to your oral hygiene routine 

Adding specialised toothpaste to your oral hygiene routine can greatly reduce sensitivity and help to strengthen your teeth. Biomin F is a toothpaste that both relieves pain and discomfort from hypersensitivity and deposits minerals to strengthen and protect your tooth enamel. Biomin's “Armour for your teeth” also help to protect your teeth from acids and sugars.

The ingredients in Biomin F include fluoride to help strengthen your enamel, and bioglass, calcium, and phosphate to fill in any holes in your enamel and block dentin tubules that are responsible for sensitivity. The fluoride concentration in this toothpaste is much lower than other kinds of toothpaste at just 550ppm.

However, if you don't want to use fluoride toothpaste at all you have the option of Biomin C that replaces fluoride with chloride. The formula in Biomin C produces hydroxyapatite which is clinically proven to remineralise teeth and is just as effective as fluoride at strengthening teeth. You can read more about Biomin's toothpaste in our full review here if you want to learn more.

Conclusion

There aren’t too many sensitive mouthwashes on the market, but there are different types so make sure you choose the right one for your needs. There are sensitive mouthwashes that are better for conditions like gingivitis and tooth decay, and some that are for worn and thinning enamel. 

Some sensitive mouthwashes work by blocking pain messages or filling dental tubules so the nerves are less exposed, and some are just gentle and don't aggravate your teeth and gums more. 

The best sensitive mouthwash for one person may not be the best one for you, so make sure you choose one for your condition. And remember that mouthwash for sensitive teeth and gums won’t work by itself. You must maintain a good oral hygiene routine and use other sensitive teeth remedies along with mouthwash. 

If you have sensitive teeth for a prolonged period of time or the pain is intense, you could have underlying dental issues that need to be addressed. Make an appointment with your dentist if you have any concerns.