Fluoride and potassium availability in a new dentifrice that treats hypersensitivity and controls tartar.

The availability and stability of the active ingredients in a Sensitive/Tartar Control dentifrice have been evaluated in this study. The Sensitive/Tartar Control dentifrice contains 5% potassium nitrate as the anti-hypersensitivity agent, 0.243% sodium fluoride as the anti-caries agent, 2% tetrasodium pyrophosphate and 1.5% polyvinylmethyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer as the antitartar system. The availability of potassium and fluoride from this dentifrice was tested and found to be acceptable in both freshly prepared and aged samples. Fluoride and potassium availability were also tested at dilutions similar to in vivo brushing levels, and the ability of the Sensitive/Tartar Control dentifrice to provide fluoride to enamel and reduce enamel solubility was measured. In these tests the Sensitive/Tartar Control dentifrice performed similarly to commercial fluoride dentifrices. Potassium availability was equal to Crest Sensitivity Protection, a product shown to be clinically effective against tooth sensitivity; fluoride availability and activity was shown to be equal to Crest Tartar Control, a product with published clinical anti-caries effectiveness.