Efficacy of a 3% Potassium Nitrate Desensitizing Mouthwash in the Treatment of Dentinal Hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND: Potassium nitrate has been used previously in a dentifrice or gel to alleviate dentinal hypersensitivity. The aim of this study was to compare a 3% potassium nitrate/0.2% sodium fluoride mouthwash with a 0.2% sodium fluoride control mouthwash in a 6-week double-blind study. METHODS: Fifty subjects were evaluated using 2 tactile methods and cold air sensitivity (dental air syringe), along with subjective perception of pain (0 to 10 scale) at baseline and at 2 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: There was a general decrease in dentinal hypersensitivity levels in both groups over the 6-week study period as demonstrated by all 4 methods of assessment. There was also a statistically significant difference in decrease in sensitivity between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a 3% potassium nitrate/0.2% sodium fluoride mouthwash appears to have therapeutic potential to alleviate dentinal hypersensitivity.