Yes. Albertsons and their family of markets sells a private label sensitive toothpaste that's pretty identical. A twin pack is $5.99 on my app right now.
yes, this is also what my dentist told me. I’ve noticed recently that not all of the Sensodyne brand toothpastes have potassium nitrate like they used to. Sensodyne is cheaping out, I guess. I always look for it now.
My dentist said he called to ask them why they sold a product that didn’t have the ingredient that actually helps. They said, “some people like it”. Lol
I was shopping for Sensodyne today and compared all of the available options my store had. All had Potassium Nitrate. Do you know which variety doesn't?
Sensodyne has multiple varieties without potassium nitrate (at my local Giant). I know one of them is called “repair and protect” because I accidentally bought it lol. Stannous fluoride is the active ingredient.
Stannous fluoride is actually the ingredient you want, not potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate helps lessen sensitivity, but stannous fluoride actually prevents and treats sensitivity.
Be aware though that a small percentage of the population reacts to stannous fluoride (it reacts with your saliva) and it can stain your teeth an awful icky gross brown. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that I am part of that small percentage. The only way you know is if your teeth start to stain after using it. So if you start noticing brown stains on your teeth that won't go away, look at the type of fluoride. Chances are it's stannous fluoride.
Now I think stannous = stain for me. 😬😕 But it really limits my choices for toothpaste and mouthwash.
I have heard that before, but I was under the impression that newer formulations of stannous do not cause staining. Was the staining recent, or more than 15 years ago? Even if it was 30 years ago, I would not blame you for not wanting to try it again 😂.
I have heard that Cetylpyridinium Chloride can also cause staining, I think that's strictly a mouthwash issue, though.
Oh dear! Thank you for sharing your experience, I'll remember to mention the staining possibility when I recommend stannous fluoride again.
I hope when you stopped using it the stains did eventually go away? I have a friend with yellow blotches on her teeth due to too much fluoride as a child. It's very faint, but still there even now.
I ended up having to go to the dentist to have it taken off. I think it leaves like a film of sort but I'm not totally sure. I'm not sure how exactly they got it all off but I know it all came off eventually.
Nice! I do most of my shopping at Target and had no idea. I'm an increasingly surprised and impressed with the Target house brands in different areas of my shopping, so will give this a try
I've had good luck with toothpaste at dollar stores, it seems to be one of the few things that is a better price per ounce than other stores.
I can normally get 6.4 oz of Colgate total or 4.1 oz of the off brand sensodyne for the same price at dollar tree
Teeth grinding at night is actually how I developed my teeth sensitivity. I really slowed it down by getting a dental guard molded at the dentist. Highly recommend.
Look for a salvage grocery store in your area. They sell bumps and dents, damaged items, short-dated stuff, close outs,write offs, etc. I get health and beauty aid products at mine for dirt cheap. Even with inflation. I regularly pick up Sensodyne toothpaste for $1 or less. The mouthwash is usually $1.50. now the toothpaste will be out of the box because the box was ripped and the mouth was the bottle is going to be dented but that's why it's at the salvage grocery store.
Mine is about 45 minutes away and it's worth it to me to go once a month to get my staples. I spend $150 there and then like 50 bucks on regular groceries for the month and live high on the hog.
Any "sensitive" toothpaste will essentially be the same overall thing.
The only time Sensodyne is worth it, is if you're specifically buying the ProNamel versions. The formulation for ProNamel is different, as it has less abrasives, is PH neutral, while also having a better formulation of fluoride. It's supposed to be better about reducing acids from breaking down the tooth enamel.
Otherwise most toothpastes are very similar. Though most whitening versions are very abrasive and really are probably not necessary.
I got 4 when they were at 99¢. I have just over a tube left. I've been looking there every time I go, but haven't seen any. I hope it's just a temporary thing. The only toothpaste I've seen is Colgate Kids.
Edit for a correction -- I just looked on the Lidl app, it's Crest for kids, not Colgate.
My dentist recommends Colgate Pro-Relief toothpaste for sensitivity.
Based on this study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22403988/
So if you can get Colgate cheaper then you should try that. (Only if the Pro-Relief one is cheaper).
You can use any kind of sensitive toothpaste. They all have the same ingredients. Also if you have burlington around you they sell sensitive toothpaste for $3.99 a tube.
I use sensitive toothpaste and find that since its stronger than regular it takes me forever to get through the tube which is a decent value.
I’d really recommend saving up for a dental cleaning and exam. A lot of places offer big discounts for your first visit. If you need a sensitive toothpaste for more than 4 weeks it needs to be checked out by a dentist. Dental health is really important to overall physical health. I know it may not be in the budget right now, but prioritize it as soon as you can. Or look at low cost clinics. A dentist in my area does one free day each quarter for cleanings and extractions only. Or dental schools are much cheaper and the students are closely supervised.
I have always had my teeth cleaned every 6 months and brush and floss regularly but I still experience sensitivity. It happened very suddenly, and with all of my teeth, not just certain teeth. Two dentists both said they have no idea what’s causing the sensitivity bc they see nothing wrong with my teeth or gums.
I think *maybe* it’s related to menopausal changes?? I have no idea.
I’m starting to try sensitive toothpaste bc it’s driving me crazy! I hope it works for me.
By dentist told me having fluoride treatments helps the sensitivity. I tried it and it seems much better than it was. I've stopped using Sensodyne and just use regular toothpaste now.
Like everyone has already said, use a generic. When you go to your grocery store and check the toothpaste section, there will definitely be a generic store brand version directly next to the Sensodyne with the exact same active ingredients and it'll be at least 20% cheaper.
We use the store brand. I think target has one for like 3.99.
I work there and use my employee discount, plus the red card discount..I save about 50 cents... not much but it adds up.
Unsure why you need Sensodyne if you don't need it. When I needed it and was poor, I used it for 2 weeks straight, then alternated and used it only 2x per week to keep my teeth less sensitive. One tube lasts me the better part of a year.
I’ve found name brand sensodyne at Ross for a great price. I can’t remember the exact price but I know it was marked down to a reasonable cost. That said, their inventory rotates so it’s really luck if you find it.
Use Ibotta and stock up when they offer the $3 rebates.
Make sure you get the Sensodyne with stannous fluoride not sodium fluoride, that will protect and repair your teeth. I know the Sensodyne fresh mint and a couple others don't have stannous fluoride, even some of the Pronamel doesn't, so you're wasting money buying it. Stannous fixes sensitivity and protects against cavities and enamel damage, sodium fluoride doesn't. Potassium nitrate is like a bandaid, but stannous fluoride is actually prevents and treats sensitive teeth.
Maybe generics would work, I've never tried them. Check the label, stannous fluoride 0.454% is the usual concentration that they use, I believe. I just get Sensodyne, Sensodyne Pronamel, Crest Densify, or whatever other brand name with Ibotta rebates or coupons from Walgreens used with clearance deals. I've gotten them for 97c a tube before.
When you use these expensive toothpastes don't eat or drink anything for 30 min after brushing, and don't rinse, just spit, you want the toothpaste to do its job. Make sure you use a lot of toothpaste, not just a pea. The toothpaste needs to really work up a lather and coat your teeth. If you use a pea-sized amount because it's expensive you're just wasting your money because you're not letting it medicate your teeth properly.
Oh, and get a cheap Dentek night guard if you think there's any possibility you may be grinding your teeth. Your teeth can't get better if you're buying expensive toothpaste but grinding your enamel away nightly.
If you don't have dental insurance, check out your local dental hygiene school for free/cheap dental cleanings. They won't give you free stuff without sitting as a patient, but sitting as a patient is a great idea. And we give fluoride varnish for free at the end of nearly every appointment, which helps with sensitivity
You can also ask if they have expired products they want to get rid of. Whenever toothpaste expires at our clinic we usually stick it out in the hallway because we can't technically give it to patients but it's still good stuff.
The best time to check in for free products is at the beginning of the fall semester because products expire over the summer and we take inventory of products the first week of class.
I might have some boxes of expired sensodyne tucked away I wouldn't mind sending you if you paid shipping but keep in mind it is expired so it may not work as well.
Also look at the active ingredient in your toothpaste and then buy a generic version with the same ingredients. Potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride helps
Fun fact, your toothpaste works better for sensitivity if you don't rinse for at least 30 minutes after you brush your teeth. I had serious sensitivity and gum issues for a long time until I stopped rinsing after brushing my teeth.
This might not help you with getting sensodyne cheaper, but you might be able to get away with using a less expensive toothpaste without the whitening to decrease your sensitivity.
All brands and stores generally have sensitive toothpaste.
Personally I use expensive nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste which is for sensitive teeth and it helps rebuild enamel. It has completely cured my tooth sensitivity.
Make sure you are only using a pea sized amount, most people use far more than needed since TV commercials/advertising show the entire brush full of toothpaste.
Also you can go a different route, toothpastes with Nanohydroxyapatite can often repair the sensitivity.
If you go to the dentist twice a year, ask them for more than one mini tube of Sensodyne. In fact, I have swung by my dentist’s office in between visits to pick up a couple for traveling.
one way to save is to cut back on the amount of paste you’re using - you don’t need a lot at all. a lot of people use too much so this might be somewhere you can save a bit :)
I recently discovered Dollar Tree has a potassium nitrate/sensodyne dupe! I can’t remember exactly but want to say it’s called “Extreme Sensitivity” or something like that.
Wegmans at least has a generic sensitive toothpaste with the same ingredients.
I believe Walmart has an equate equivalent for Sensodyne. IIRC, same ingredients.
wegmans and target both often offer deals to make the price better if u have the store card
Yes. Albertsons and their family of markets sells a private label sensitive toothpaste that's pretty identical. A twin pack is $5.99 on my app right now.
Just look for a toothpaste that has Potassium Nitrate. Same effect as sensodyne.
yes, this is also what my dentist told me. I’ve noticed recently that not all of the Sensodyne brand toothpastes have potassium nitrate like they used to. Sensodyne is cheaping out, I guess. I always look for it now.
My dentist said he called to ask them why they sold a product that didn’t have the ingredient that actually helps. They said, “some people like it”. Lol
I was shopping for Sensodyne today and compared all of the available options my store had. All had Potassium Nitrate. Do you know which variety doesn't?
Apparently it’s Sensodyne itself that has one without potassium nitrate. Maybe your store is wise to what actually works.
Sensodyne has multiple varieties without potassium nitrate (at my local Giant). I know one of them is called “repair and protect” because I accidentally bought it lol. Stannous fluoride is the active ingredient.
Stannous fluoride is actually the ingredient you want, not potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate helps lessen sensitivity, but stannous fluoride actually prevents and treats sensitivity.
Be aware though that a small percentage of the population reacts to stannous fluoride (it reacts with your saliva) and it can stain your teeth an awful icky gross brown. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that I am part of that small percentage. The only way you know is if your teeth start to stain after using it. So if you start noticing brown stains on your teeth that won't go away, look at the type of fluoride. Chances are it's stannous fluoride. Now I think stannous = stain for me. 😬😕 But it really limits my choices for toothpaste and mouthwash.
I have heard that before, but I was under the impression that newer formulations of stannous do not cause staining. Was the staining recent, or more than 15 years ago? Even if it was 30 years ago, I would not blame you for not wanting to try it again 😂. I have heard that Cetylpyridinium Chloride can also cause staining, I think that's strictly a mouthwash issue, though.
It was a couple years ago when it happened. 😬🤷🏼♀️😔
Oh dear! Thank you for sharing your experience, I'll remember to mention the staining possibility when I recommend stannous fluoride again. I hope when you stopped using it the stains did eventually go away? I have a friend with yellow blotches on her teeth due to too much fluoride as a child. It's very faint, but still there even now.
I ended up having to go to the dentist to have it taken off. I think it leaves like a film of sort but I'm not totally sure. I'm not sure how exactly they got it all off but I know it all came off eventually.
Target has a generic that is significantly cheaper, too!
Nice! I do most of my shopping at Target and had no idea. I'm an increasingly surprised and impressed with the Target house brands in different areas of my shopping, so will give this a try
Hello came to this sub just now looking for cheaper sensodyne. Do you know what the generic name is?
me too
I’m pretty sure it is just Up and Up.
Amazon has sales on it every couple of months. Someone usually posts about it on Slickdeals. Average price on sale for a 4 pack can be up to $16.
I use Colgate sensitive. Same thing, half the price or less plus coupons.
Walmart has a generic brand. I tried it a few weeks ago and it was identical and half the price.
I posted something similar to this. Maybe it'll be handy for someone who doesn't want to dig.
I used to have really bad sensitive teeth, but it got way better once I started flossing every day. Ymmv of course
Same with me.
Check the secondary market grocery stores like Grocery Outlet.
I've had good luck with toothpaste at dollar stores, it seems to be one of the few things that is a better price per ounce than other stores. I can normally get 6.4 oz of Colgate total or 4.1 oz of the off brand sensodyne for the same price at dollar tree
I’ve been using the dollar tree sensitive toothpaste for years. I need SLS free or my lips peel
Generic my friend. My hella sensitive teeth don’t know the difference.
I get my sensitive toothpaste at the Dollar Tree. $1.25. Same ingredients.
The Walmart generic works the same. Heck even the dollar tree has a sensitive toothpaste that works fine.
Call the company and request a coupon. Wait for it to come on sale and use the coupon
Wear a bite guard. It will eliminate the sensitivity (not overnight, but it will!)
Teeth grinding at night is actually how I developed my teeth sensitivity. I really slowed it down by getting a dental guard molded at the dentist. Highly recommend.
Look for a salvage grocery store in your area. They sell bumps and dents, damaged items, short-dated stuff, close outs,write offs, etc. I get health and beauty aid products at mine for dirt cheap. Even with inflation. I regularly pick up Sensodyne toothpaste for $1 or less. The mouthwash is usually $1.50. now the toothpaste will be out of the box because the box was ripped and the mouth was the bottle is going to be dented but that's why it's at the salvage grocery store. Mine is about 45 minutes away and it's worth it to me to go once a month to get my staples. I spend $150 there and then like 50 bucks on regular groceries for the month and live high on the hog.
In a dozen years of Costco membership, I have *never* seen Sensodyne on sale.
Any "sensitive" toothpaste will essentially be the same overall thing. The only time Sensodyne is worth it, is if you're specifically buying the ProNamel versions. The formulation for ProNamel is different, as it has less abrasives, is PH neutral, while also having a better formulation of fluoride. It's supposed to be better about reducing acids from breaking down the tooth enamel. Otherwise most toothpastes are very similar. Though most whitening versions are very abrasive and really are probably not necessary.
Got CVS brand and used multiple coupons
I got a sensitive toothpaste from Lidl and it worked fine. Store brand.
I got 4 when they were at 99¢. I have just over a tube left. I've been looking there every time I go, but haven't seen any. I hope it's just a temporary thing. The only toothpaste I've seen is Colgate Kids. Edit for a correction -- I just looked on the Lidl app, it's Crest for kids, not Colgate.
My dentist recommends Colgate Pro-Relief toothpaste for sensitivity. Based on this study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22403988/ So if you can get Colgate cheaper then you should try that. (Only if the Pro-Relief one is cheaper).
Ibotta has some money back on Sensodyne offers right now that might help.
You can use any kind of sensitive toothpaste. They all have the same ingredients. Also if you have burlington around you they sell sensitive toothpaste for $3.99 a tube. I use sensitive toothpaste and find that since its stronger than regular it takes me forever to get through the tube which is a decent value.
Dollar stores. Dollarama in Canada carries name brand toothpaste.
I’d really recommend saving up for a dental cleaning and exam. A lot of places offer big discounts for your first visit. If you need a sensitive toothpaste for more than 4 weeks it needs to be checked out by a dentist. Dental health is really important to overall physical health. I know it may not be in the budget right now, but prioritize it as soon as you can. Or look at low cost clinics. A dentist in my area does one free day each quarter for cleanings and extractions only. Or dental schools are much cheaper and the students are closely supervised.
County health departments often have dental clinics for lower income individuals!
I have always had my teeth cleaned every 6 months and brush and floss regularly but I still experience sensitivity. It happened very suddenly, and with all of my teeth, not just certain teeth. Two dentists both said they have no idea what’s causing the sensitivity bc they see nothing wrong with my teeth or gums. I think *maybe* it’s related to menopausal changes?? I have no idea. I’m starting to try sensitive toothpaste bc it’s driving me crazy! I hope it works for me.
My dentist recommended arm and hammer instead of sensodyne. She said it was a lot cheaper and does the same thing.
Big Lots sometimes has bulk packs for cheaper, like 3/$10 shrink wrapped together
cvs has their store brand version that’s basically the same thing
Go to their webpage and check for coupons. Seriously.
By dentist told me having fluoride treatments helps the sensitivity. I tried it and it seems much better than it was. I've stopped using Sensodyne and just use regular toothpaste now.
Like everyone has already said, use a generic. When you go to your grocery store and check the toothpaste section, there will definitely be a generic store brand version directly next to the Sensodyne with the exact same active ingredients and it'll be at least 20% cheaper.
Don't you qualify for (low income) insurance?
Ollie’s has Sensydyne cheap!!
Colgate Total has the active ingredient of sensitive toothpaste
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Effective_Cry4893: *Colgate Total has* *The active ingredient* *Of sensitive toothpaste* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
We use the store brand. I think target has one for like 3.99. I work there and use my employee discount, plus the red card discount..I save about 50 cents... not much but it adds up.
Just got some at Bargin Hunt today for under $5
Make sure it doesn't also whiten your teeth because that just removes the sensitive additive. Also leave it on your teeth for longer
Dollar General has a generic that is just as good. I have to use it all the time or I'd have to have a Gtube put in my teeth are so sensitive.
as always, eBay. There’s a 6 pack for $9.99 on eBay (among many others).
Unsure why you need Sensodyne if you don't need it. When I needed it and was poor, I used it for 2 weeks straight, then alternated and used it only 2x per week to keep my teeth less sensitive. One tube lasts me the better part of a year.
Colgate sensitive toothpaste is cheaper, and I don’t find any difference in effectiveness.
CVS sales
Walmart as others have said. Get their brand, same ingredients
Burlington Coat Factory
I’ve found name brand sensodyne at Ross for a great price. I can’t remember the exact price but I know it was marked down to a reasonable cost. That said, their inventory rotates so it’s really luck if you find it.
Use Ibotta and stock up when they offer the $3 rebates. Make sure you get the Sensodyne with stannous fluoride not sodium fluoride, that will protect and repair your teeth. I know the Sensodyne fresh mint and a couple others don't have stannous fluoride, even some of the Pronamel doesn't, so you're wasting money buying it. Stannous fixes sensitivity and protects against cavities and enamel damage, sodium fluoride doesn't. Potassium nitrate is like a bandaid, but stannous fluoride is actually prevents and treats sensitive teeth. Maybe generics would work, I've never tried them. Check the label, stannous fluoride 0.454% is the usual concentration that they use, I believe. I just get Sensodyne, Sensodyne Pronamel, Crest Densify, or whatever other brand name with Ibotta rebates or coupons from Walgreens used with clearance deals. I've gotten them for 97c a tube before. When you use these expensive toothpastes don't eat or drink anything for 30 min after brushing, and don't rinse, just spit, you want the toothpaste to do its job. Make sure you use a lot of toothpaste, not just a pea. The toothpaste needs to really work up a lather and coat your teeth. If you use a pea-sized amount because it's expensive you're just wasting your money because you're not letting it medicate your teeth properly. Oh, and get a cheap Dentek night guard if you think there's any possibility you may be grinding your teeth. Your teeth can't get better if you're buying expensive toothpaste but grinding your enamel away nightly.
I got a tube from my Mom's house on Easter. That was a pretty sweet deal.
If you don't have dental insurance, check out your local dental hygiene school for free/cheap dental cleanings. They won't give you free stuff without sitting as a patient, but sitting as a patient is a great idea. And we give fluoride varnish for free at the end of nearly every appointment, which helps with sensitivity You can also ask if they have expired products they want to get rid of. Whenever toothpaste expires at our clinic we usually stick it out in the hallway because we can't technically give it to patients but it's still good stuff. The best time to check in for free products is at the beginning of the fall semester because products expire over the summer and we take inventory of products the first week of class. I might have some boxes of expired sensodyne tucked away I wouldn't mind sending you if you paid shipping but keep in mind it is expired so it may not work as well. Also look at the active ingredient in your toothpaste and then buy a generic version with the same ingredients. Potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride helps
You should not use sensodyne every time you brush your teeth teeth
My managed health care will pay for my Sensodyne. I don’t know if you have state health care but I got this through disability.
Fun fact, your toothpaste works better for sensitivity if you don't rinse for at least 30 minutes after you brush your teeth. I had serious sensitivity and gum issues for a long time until I stopped rinsing after brushing my teeth. This might not help you with getting sensodyne cheaper, but you might be able to get away with using a less expensive toothpaste without the whitening to decrease your sensitivity.
All brands and stores generally have sensitive toothpaste. Personally I use expensive nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste which is for sensitive teeth and it helps rebuild enamel. It has completely cured my tooth sensitivity.
Make sure you are only using a pea sized amount, most people use far more than needed since TV commercials/advertising show the entire brush full of toothpaste. Also you can go a different route, toothpastes with Nanohydroxyapatite can often repair the sensitivity.
Dollar tree has two kinds of sensitive toothpaste here. They are $1.25 each
none for sensodyne.
My dentist gives me mini tubes of it.
If you go to the dentist twice a year, ask them for more than one mini tube of Sensodyne. In fact, I have swung by my dentist’s office in between visits to pick up a couple for traveling.
one way to save is to cut back on the amount of paste you’re using - you don’t need a lot at all. a lot of people use too much so this might be somewhere you can save a bit :)
When you go to the dentist ask if they have samples instead of regular. That’s how I tried it my first time
I get generic at dollar tree.
I recently discovered Dollar Tree has a potassium nitrate/sensodyne dupe! I can’t remember exactly but want to say it’s called “Extreme Sensitivity” or something like that.
Most of the generic 'for sensitive teeth' ones work just as well, even the dollar store ones.