Possible role for arginine-containing toothpastes in managing dentine hypersensitivity

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, Embase and LILACS databases were searched. Reference lists of eligible studies and systematic reviews were cross-checked to identify additional studies.

Randomised and controlled clinical trials conducted in adults with at least two hypersensitive teeth confirmed by evaporative stimulus or tactile hypersensitivity assessment comparing arginine-containing desensitising toothpastes to non-arginine-containing control toothpastes were included.

Data abstraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers and a qualitative summary presented.

Two randomised trials met the criteria; both showed a positive effect on dentine hypersensitivity in response to tactile and air-blast stimuli. No subjective measures of sensitivity were reported.

Data identified indicate a potential role for arginine-containing toothpastes in managing dentine hypersensitivity. However, this conclusion is based on small sample sizes and the studies identified did not follow patients up in the medium to long term. The authors recommend that there is a need for well-designed RCTs to be conducted prior to any definitive recommendations being made.