When you're dealing with the shooting pain that sensitive teeth can bring, it's helpful to have a full oral care regimen in place, one that includes everything from a desensitizing toothpaste to a gentle mouthwash. But, when it comes to the best mouthwashes for sensitive teeth, things can get complicated. There are actually a surprising amount of factors to consider.
By far the best thing you can do is invest in a mouthwash that is alcohol-free. That's because a mouthwash without ethanol will not have that "burning mouth" feel that a traditional, alcohol-based mouthwash will.
From there, it's worth consulting your dentist to determine what the root cause is for your sensitivity woes. While numerous factors can contribute to tooth and gum pain, including certain foods and drinks, one of the most common causes is the erosion of tooth enamel. Ingredients like sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, and calcium phosphate, can help make teeth stronger, according to the folks at Dentably.
You'll also want to consider whether you want your mouthwash to have a whitening effect. If you do, be prepared for the rinse to include hydrogen peroxide, one of the most common bleaching agents in mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide has been flagged for being damaging to teeth enamel, although if you're on a mission to brighten and whiten, you can minimize that damage by using a mouthwash with lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, for shorter amounts of time.
Last but certainly not least, any oral care product that's been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) is going to be a smart choice. That's because the ADA Seal of Acceptance means the product meets key safety and efficacy criteria.
With all that in mind, it's time to find the right sensitive mouthwash for you. All of the rinses below are alcohol-free, come highly rated on Amazon, and some are available as convenient three-packs.