Lining the aisles of almost every grocery and discount store today are countless products that contribute to good oral health.  Toothbrushes of every variety, toothpastes in a multitude of flavors and mouthwash of every kind stand ready to help the consumer in maintaining healthy dental hygiene.   Just the choices of dental floss can be mind boggling with waxed or non-waxed being the first of many choices for the consumer to make.  Along with this multitude of products stands a less marketed, quieter sort of product-the over the counter tooth desensitizers.  But for the consumer suffering from mouth pain there is not such a welcome sight as seeing the choices of tooth desensitizer available today. 

Tooth desensitizers main function is by definition to render insensitive or less sensitive a tooth or nerve within the mouth.  This is done by using a non-prescription pain killer.  Most tooth desensitizers contain some percentage of Benzocaine or a derivative of it.  Because the tooth desensitizers are sold in grocery or drug stores they can only contain a non prescription amount of any painkiller as determined by the Food and Drug Administration. Any stronger pain medication that is needed must be prescribed by a licensed dentist or physician if the pain is indicated by dental injury. 

Over the counter tooth desensitizers are used for a variety of reasons.  Many people suffer from chronic cankers or mouth sores.  If this problem is chronic the patient needs to have the underlying reason diagnosed through an examination.  The dentist can then work with the patient to provide treatment for this problem.  But for the occasional flare up the over the counter tooth desensitizer can provide immediate relief until further treatment can be sought.  Another reason that over the counter tooth desensitizers are used is to treat tooth or gum sensitivity itself.  While many people complain of tooth sensitivity after dental procedures (this includes laser teeth whitening) most tooth sensitivity is unexplainable. Illness, hormones, stress, changes in temperature can all contribute to tooth sensitivity.  Yet many dentists are unable to explain why these factors affect some people but not others.  But to treat this pain on an ongoing basis many people turn to over the counter tooth desensitizers.  They can provide immediate relief and have many advantages.  Here are just a few-

1.    One of the major advantages to this kind of product is the price.  Most over the counter tooth desensitizers can be purchased for under $10.  When compared with the price of a dental visit and possible cost of a prescription this is quite a bargain.
2.    The portability of this type of product is very much an advantage.  Many times this type of pain needs to be treated repeatedly.  Most over the counter tooth desensitizers are small tubes or bottles that can fit easily into a purse or pocket and be taken just about anywhere.
3.    The ease of use for over the counter tooth desensitizers is quite high.  Most products are in ointment form.  The product can be applied to a swab or even a clean fingertip and applied to the affected area.  Most types of this product can be used about every 6 hours ensuring continuous relief from discomfort or irritation. 
4.    Most users of this product indicate instant relief from the pain or discomfort they are feeling.  Over the counter teeth desensitizers seem to be highly effective.
5.    There are few side effects to over the counter tooth desensitizers.  Most possible side effects are directly related to the miss use of over use of this product.  Generally most users report no problems with using this type of product.