This is my review for the Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair toothpaste based on what it was like to use it. I’ll give you all of my subjective opinions as well as the objective facts about this oral care product.
Yes, I am a dentist so don’t skip the section about how this toothpaste works, particularly about its desensitizing and enamel repairing claims. My goal is to help you in deciding whether or not this new toothpaste is worth a try.
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Overview
The intensive enamel repair toothpaste by Sensodyne Pronamel was made to reduce teeth sensitivity and help repair weakened enamel. It’s purpose is to become a replacement for your everyday toothpaste especially if you suffer from either of those two conditions.
Featured benefits
The benefits of brushing twice daily with this toothpaste includes:
- Actively repair enamel weakened by acid.
- Protect against acid erosion.
- Keeps teeth healthy & strong.
- Freshen your breath.
- Reduces teeth sensitivity.
Directions for use
The directions are specifically for adults and children 12 years of age and older.
How to use it:
- Apply at least a 1-inch strip of toothpaste onto a soft bristle toothbrush.
- Brush teeth for at least 1 minute twice a day (morning & evening) and not more than 3 times a day, or as recommended by a dentist.
- Make sure to brush all sensitive areas of the teeth.
- Spit out and do not swallow.
I find it fascinating that the directions say to brush for at least 1 minute on the label. This is despite the fact that it is widely accepted that 2 minutes should be the recommended brushing time.
It’s also interesting how it says you shouldn’t brush more than thrice a day unless recommended by a dentist. Ideally, the best oral hygiene practice involves brushing after every meal.
Product specifications
| Attributes | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Net weight | 3.4 oz (96.4 g) |
| Dispensing mechanism | Squeezable tube |
| Remineralization agent | Sodium Fluoride |
| Desensitizer | Potassium Nitrate |
Ingredients
There are a total of 15 ingredients in the intensive enamel repair toothpaste from Pronamel.
Remineralization:
- Sodium Fluoride (0.25%) – anti-cavity.
- Sodium Lactate – enhances fluoride uptake in enamel.
- PVP/MA Copolymer – enhances acid resistance; prevents stain molecules from adhering onto teeth.
Desensitizer:
- Potassium Nitrate 5%
Whitening abrasives:
- Hydrated Silica – mild natural whitening abrasive.
Flavoring:
- Sorbitol – sweetener/humectant.
- Flavor
- Sodium Saccharin – sweetener.
pH adjuster:
- Sodium Hydroxide – pH adjuster.
Others:
- Water – solvent.
- Glycerin – humectant (prevents drying out).
- PEG-8 – lubrication and spreadability.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – surfactant/detergent/foaming.
- Titanium Dioxide – adds white color.
- Xanthan Gum – gives the toothpaste body.
Unboxing
The Sensodyne Pronamel intensive enamel repair toothpaste comes in a rectangular cardboard box with white, teal, blue and green lettering. It gives off a straight to the point kind of feeling and there aren’t any fancy features about it.
Overall, the initial impression is that it is fairly similar to their other products.
The top and bottom of the box does not come with a tamper proof seal on it. There is no tape nor is there glue on the box flaps to prevent opening.
Opening the the top of the box, you can find the contents of the box which is a single toothpaste and nothing else. There is no protective cardboard feature inside of the box to help protect the tube of toothpaste. The only reason I mention this is because I’m seen some unique features such as from Davids toothpaste.
This toothpaste looks like most other ones with it’s squeezable plastic body and a plastic cap. I definitely like how the cap design permits the product to be stored in an upright vertical standing position. It just gives your bathroom counter a more organized look.
To use it, you just need to unscrew the cap by twisting it off. My only comment is that I actually prefer a flip cap vs a twist off cap because the former is more convenient to open and close.
Although the screw cap does make it much more secure if you were to travel with it. But one thing I do want to point out is that I do like how they made the cap with a flared shape rather than cylindrical. It provides good grip to twist it.
Nonetheless from a daily use perspective, I much prefer the flip cap because it is much more convenient and faster to open/close it.
My experience
I felt very safe while I was brushing with the Sensodyne Pronamel intensive enamel repair toothpaste because the paste was soft and non-abrasive. Mouth felt pretty clean afterwards but aside from that, there weren’t any other standout features.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Opaque White |
| Smell | Mint |
| Taste | Mild Mint |
| Texture | Soft & Non-abrasive |
| Foaminess | Very mild foaming |
| Cleanliness | Clean |
| Sensitivity | No sensitivity or discomfort |
Color
This toothpaste had an opaque white color owing most of it to the titanium dioxide. That’s pretty standard and typical for white colored toothpastes.
You may find this color to be boring but what I like about it over the charcoal black or purple toothpastes is that it doesn’t leave a mess in the sink! Those dark colored ones require a sink clean up once you’re done brushing. Therefore, this pronamel is hassle-free in my book.
Smell
It has a mild mint smell to it. It actually doesn’t have any other flavorings or smells in the ingredients aside from that. Some of the newer toothpastes have like 10+ herbal ingredients in there but this toothpaste keeps it simple.
Taste
I really like how this toothpaste tastes because it’s not only minty but has a slight hint of sweetness to it. The best way that I can describe it is that it tastes like the original Mentos.
Just so that you know, I am a fan of mint-based toothpastes so perhaps I am a bit biased. Nonetheless in my opinion, this one tastes great and is a big plus in my book.
Texture
The texture of this pronamel toothpaste is very soft, non-gritty, and definitely non-abrasive. It felt like I was brushing with a non-textured soft paste which is a good thing because it means that it is enamel-safe.
Some charcoal toothpastes can be too abrasive and cause enamel damage.
What’s interesting is that despite how soft it feels on my teeth, the toothpaste is relatively solid and doesn’t slump as you dispense it. The image below shows how it is non-liquidy and non-stretchy. Some toothpastes stretch like caramel and mozzarella.
When I do the upside down toothbrush test, the toothpaste does NOT slump off. That tells you that it is relatively solid in texture and can hold its shape.
Foaminess
Consistent with most of the pronamel toothpastes, the intensive enamel repair does not foam very much since it is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) free. There is very mild foaming while you’re brushing with it.
The image below shows what my mouth looks like after I was done brushing. It may seem like a lot of foam but that is mostly from my saliva mixing in from two minutes of brushing.
In lieu of SLS, it uses cocamidopropyl betaine which is a more mild detergent/foaming agent. However, if you wanted a pronamel toothpaste with more foaming, you should check out the active shield toothpaste.
Cleanliness
My teeth felt clean afterwards and my mouth stayed minty feeling for the next hour or so. Although if I don’t drink enough water my mouth sometimes does start to form white stringy stuff. That’s just something that I kind of notice with the sensodyne toothpastes in general.
Sensitivity
This is an anti-sensitivity toothpaste so of course I did not experience any teeth sensitivity afterwards. The entire Sensodyne brand was designed for people with sensitive teeth!
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Prevents cavities (sodium fluoride).
- Reduces teeth sensitivity (potassium nitrate).
- SLS-free.
- Maximizes fluoride absorption into teeth.
- Stores upright.
- TSA travel size compliant.
Cons:
- Pricer than regular toothpaste.
- Twist off cap takes a long time to remove.
- Nothing fun about it.
Does it work?
The two main selling points of the Pronamel intensive enamel repair toothpaste is that it can repair weakened enamel and also desensitize your teeth. After all, it is a sensodyne product and all of their toothpastes were made for sensitive teeth.
Does it work?
Yes, this sensodyne toothpaste does work in repairing enamel and reducing sensitivity.
Repairs weakened enamel
The intensive enamel repair toothpaste can in fact repair weakened enamel using a novel combination of sodium fluoride, sodium lactate, and PVM/MA copolymer.
In a study done by the Indiana University school of dentistry, they found that this type of toothpaste enhanced enamel rehardening and protected against demineralization.
- PVM/MA copolymer enhanced fluoride’s acid resistance.
- Sodium lactate enhanced enamel fluoride uptake.
The additional effects of those two ingredients supercharged the anti-cavity effect of sodium fluoride. In other words, it helps repair and strengthen enamel that may have been demineralized from acid attacks.
Sodium fluoride benefits:
- Enhances remineralization.
- Inhibits demineralization.
- Strengthens enamel.
Side note: What also helps the efficacy of fluoride in this toothpaste is that it is SLS-free. Toothpastes with SLS typically have reduced fluoride efficacy because it binds to it and blocks enamel uptake of it.
Disclosure: The study above was the only one about sodium lactate and it was funded by GSK/Haleon which is the parent company of Sensodyne.
Reduces sensitivity
This pronamel toothpaste can help reduce teeth sensitivity because it contains potassium nitrate, a nerve depolarization agent. It basically numbs the tooth nerve so it doesn’t react to any stimuli.
How potassium nitrate desensitizes teeth:
- Brushing with it will supply an overabundance of potassium ions to the nerve.
- Excessive K+ will reverse the extracellular concentration gradient.
- Reversal of the gradient prevents action potential propagation.
How long it takes to work
For sensitivity reduction with potassium nitrate, the full desensitizing effect may not be apparent until 12 weeks later. Studies have shown that symptoms gradually improved with each week of use with twice daily brushing. The discomfort relief continued to improve all the way up to the 12th week.
Therefore you should start to notice an improvement in symptoms after 1-2 weeks of use. Although you need to continue using it for at least 12 weeks to see its full effect.
Also if you stop using the toothpaste, the desensitizing effect will wear off so you must continue to use it non-stop.
Verdict
Overall, I would rate the Sensodyne Pronamel intensive enamel repair as a good daily protection toothpaste. What I mean by that is that it does a solid job at protecting your teeth. If you were using a different toothpaste before, this one can fully replace it.
Yes, I would recommend using this toothpaste if you were to only use one. To be quite honest, I couldn’t really find too many faults with it aside from the fact that it is non-exciting but it still gets the job done!
Nonetheless, that concludes the review of the intensive enamel repair toothpaste by a dentist!