Effectiveness of desensitizing toothpastes in reducing tooth sensitivity after tooth bleaching: a systematic review

To evaluate the effectiveness of desensitizing toothpastes in reducing post-bleaching tooth sensitivity.

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Embase databases, using the following terms: (dentifrices OR toothpaste) AND (sensitive OR sensitivity OR dental sensitivity) AND (dental bleaching OR tooth bleaching OR dental whitening OR tooth whitening).

Five studies involving 387 individuals undergoing in-office or at-home teeth bleaching were reviewed. Desensitizing toothpastes reduced sensitivity effectively after home bleaching with 22% carbamide peroxide and single-session in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide. However, they were ineffective for home bleaching with 16% carbamide peroxide and in-office bleaching across two sessions with 35% or 38% hydrogen peroxide.

Desensitizing toothpastes are effective for home bleaching with high concentration carbamide peroxide and single-session in-office bleaching with highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide, but ineffective for home bleaching with low concentration carbamide peroxide and two-session in-office bleaching with concentrated hydrogen peroxide.