The objective of this study is to assess clinical efficacy of a toothpaste containing 8% arginine (Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY, USA) to provide dental hypersensitivity relief (tactile and air blast) in comparison to Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste (Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY, USA) over an eight-week period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female subjects, ages 18-70, inclusive.
• Availability for the eight-week duration of the study.
• Two sensitive teeth, which must be anterior to the molars, and demonstrate cervical erosion/abrasion or gingival recession.
• Qualifying response to tactile stimuli (Yeaple probe) as defined by a score between 10-50 gms. of force.
• Qualifying response to the air blast stimuli as defined by a score of 2 or 3 on the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale.
• Subjects need to satisfy the qualifying response to stimuli for both the parameters assessed (tactile or air) on two teeth to be entered into the study.
• Good general health with no known allergies to products being tested.
• Use of a non-desensitizing dentifrice for three months prior to entry into the study.
• Signed Informed Consent Form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Gross oral pathology, chronic disease, or history of allergy to test products.
• Advanced periodontal disease or treatment for periodontal disease (including surgery) within the past twelve months.
• Sensitive teeth with a mobility greater than one.
• Teeth with extensive/defective restorations (including prosthetic crowns), suspected pulpitis, caries, cracked enamel, or used as abutments for removable partial dentures.
• Current use of anticonvulsants, antihistamines, antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or daily use of analgesics.
• Participation in a desensitizing dentifrice study or regular use of a desensitizing dentifrice within the past three months.
• Current participation in any other clinical study.
• Pregnant or lactating subjects.
• Allergies to oral care products, personal care consumer products, or their ingredients.
• Medical condition which prohibits not eating/drinking for 4 hours.
• Use in the past of the two test dentifrices.