Rub Some Dirt In It!

Did you hear that scream just now? That's me when I accidentally bite my ice cream instead of carefully dropping it on my tongue in the back of my mouth. Some people have sensitive teeth. I have touchy little hypochondriac teeth that like to scream if a cool breeze enters my mouth.

Over the years, my dentist has given me a dozen recommendations and even a prescription toothpaste that tasted like a urinal cake smells. I've tried every OTC sensitive toothpaste sold in two states by this point. Some worked a little bit, some stained my teeth, and in the hunt I discovered that anything with stannous fluoride gives me Kylie Jenner lips and makes my tongue bleed. Ouch!

There's a phrase my husband loves to say when anyone gets a cut in our household: "Rub some dirt in it!" Followed by a manly grunt, of course. So after all of the many failures with conventional toothpaste, imagine my surprise when I find a conversation on a forum about sensitive teeth where people have had success with...

Dirt.

In their mouths.

My first thought - and pardon my Klingon - was heeeelllllllllll no. But then I found it discussed on a few other forums where people just like me with crazy-sensitive teeth were really experiencing great results with The Dirt Natural Toothpaste, so I did a little more digging about how it works.

From the website: "Did you know the glycerin in modern toothpaste can coat your teeth and prevent the natural process of re-mineralization that keeps your teeth strong and white? The Dirt is made to allow your natural re-mineralization process to do it's thang and get your teeth back to their strong, sparkly selves."

After about a week, I finally forgave them for the gratuitous use of "thang" and ordered it from the site.

The smallest jar claims to be a 3-month supply and it was as expensive as the prescription toothpaste I'd tried ($20). I generally get 2 months use out of a $6-8 tube of paste, and the penny-pinching side of me is still flinching a bit. So was it worth it? I've been using it now for about a week and here's what I've experienced so far:

• The first time you use it is W-E-I-R-D. The fine bentonite clay they use to aid in re-mineralization reminds you that yes, there is actual, honest-to-god dirt in your mouth right now. And when you spit, it's totes mud. But it isn't grainy or thick, thank goodness, so there isn't a texture to be grossed out over.
• The cinnamon and orange spice flavor is actually really pleasant. The chalky taste of the fine clay lingers a bit, though, so I still feel better if I use a diluted mouth wash after for additional freshness.
• My teeth start squeaking while I'm brushing and by the time I'm finished, they feel exactly like they do after the dentist polishes them. And I can't stop running my tongue over them.
• 4 days after I started using it, I drank a fountain soda full of ice without a straw... and didn't squeal when the ice hit my teeth. It was still totally uncomfortable, but that ice-pick in my tooth feeling didn't come like it usually does.
• A week later I'm able to breathe in through my mouth and the rush of air doesn't bother my teeth like it used to.

And no - I promise I'm not receiving anything for this post! I just know there are tons of us out there with cold-sensitive teeth, and I hope this review helps one of you. 

I haven't had any negative experiences/side effects or anything with this yet, but if something does happen I fully intend to come back and edit this post with my findings.

Have any of you had luck with natural toothpastes or other remedies for sensitive teeth?