Efficacy of a potassium nitrate mouthwash in alleviating cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS)

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) has been used previously in a dentifrice or gel to alleviate cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS). The aim of this study was lo compare a 3% KNO3 Silica/NaF mouthwash with a NaF/silica mouthwash in a 6‐week multi‐centre double‐blind study. 47 subjects (12M; 35F. mean age 36.2 ISD 11.46) years) participated in the study. Subjects were evaluated for tactile (Yeaple probe) and air sensitivity (dental air syringe) together with subjective perception of pain (0–10 scale) at 0. 2 and 6 weeks. Results for Yeaple probe (gm wt) (Wilcoxon paired rank test) between 6 weeks and baseline, were highly significant for both groups. Differences between groups at 6 weeks were statistically significant. Subjective Yeaple probe scores (paired t‐tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were no significant differences (unpaired t‐tests) between groups over 6 weeks for subjective Yeaple probe scores. Subjective air scores (paired t‐tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were significant differences (unpaired t‐tests) between groups in favour of the 3% KNO3./Silica/NaF group at 6 weeks. The 2 weeks and baseline results for both groups were the same as reported for 6 weeks and baseline. The results demonstrated that a 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF mouthwash compared to a Silica/NaF control significantly reduced CDS when evaluated by tactile and thermal stimuli. A 3% KNO3/silica/NaF mouthwash would, therefore appear to have therapeutic potential to alleviate CDS.