Self-Care Strategies

Burnishing

Repeated daily applications of a desensitizing dentifrice, regular dentifrice, or concentrated fluoride product into the sensitive area with Burnishing Repeated daily applications of a desensitizing dentifrice, regular dentifrice, or concentrated fluoride product into the sensitive area with a toothpick can provide relief. This burnishing process causes particles of the dentifrice to fill in the openings of the tubules, and the fluoride remineralizes the enamel crystal. However, burnishing with a toothpick and water alone or with sodium fluoride have both been shown to reduce hypersensitivity.10,67 The fact that burnishing with a toothbrush and water alone decreased sensitivity is likely a result of the burnishing producing secondary or reparative dentin and a smear layer (Figure 11).43