Trib Tested: Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste and Toothbrush
As a procrastinator, going to the dentist is something I always seem to find a way of avoiding. Having sensitive teeth is something that I've just adjusted to. I've used various products and was using a different brand from the Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief. I wanted to see how much of a difference there was between what I was using and the Colgate.
I found that the Colgate made my mouth feel different; it felt cleaner. The toothpaste foamed more, and it made my gums feel like they had been cleaned well. The actual pain relief was comparable to other brands I've used, and I didn't notice that there was an extended period of relief. I just liked how my mouth felt and tasted afterward. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste is something I will buy more of.
-- Timothy Steiner
I had great hopes for Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste. When a no-nonsense company like Colgate that's been around longer than I have -- no small feat -- you figure they know what they're talking about.
The claim is that following a few simple directions will provide lasting sensitivity from the pain you experience when your teeth come in contact with hot drinks, cold drinks or sugary foods. It's a problem common among middle-aged and older people whose gums are receding along with our hairlines and memories.
For two weeks, I followed the usage directions religiously -- an initial direct application, brushing twice a day for a solid minute with a soft-bristle toothbrush -- OK, I skipped one night brushing. The toothpaste leaves your teeth feeling squeaky clean. But my teeth still are sending unexpected shocks to my system when I'm eating oatmeal or drinking coffee.
Although I haven't cured my tooth-sensitivity problem, I have experienced one good outcome from the test. Twice-a-day tooth-brushing has become part of my established routine.
-- Alice T. Carter
Ice cream has been a bit of a problem for my sensitive teeth. I usually eat just small amounts -- about a half-cup -- and allow it to soften some before I eat it. So I was happy to give Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste a try. It offers a foaming mintiness that's a great improvement over some of the more medicine-like flavors of some other sensitivity-relief toothpastes. It's not superpowered on the de-sensitizing side, which is fine by me. I don't require extreme numbing for my level of sensitivity. And I can't complain about that bigger bowl of rocky road -- straight from the freezer.
To the other matter on this testing assignment, I absolutely love the new Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothbrush. The bend of the handle and rubber grip make it much easier to brush and reach around and behind teeth. Its soft polishing cups seem to encase each tooth while brushing. The back head of the brush has a nice nubby surface that gentle scrubs the tongue and inside of the cheeks. I have been using an electric toothbrush for a couple of years before trying out this new brush, and I feel a little silly getting so excited about a toothbrush. But there it is -- my new favorite!
-- Sally Quinn
Additional Information:
Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste and Toothbrush
The claim: This sensitivity toothpaste is formulated to provide faster and longer-lasting relief than the leading sensitive toothpaste. Its proprietary formula penetrates to the source of the pain -- the nerve -- to soothe the pain faster, shielding the nerves to help prevent the pain from returning.
Cost: $4.99 for the 4-ounce toothpaste, $3.99 for the toothbrush
Where: National drug and grocery stores
