Episode 21

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Published on:

8th Dec 2025

21: Your Toothpaste Might Be Working Against You – The Surprising Science Behind Sensitivity and Tartar with Dr. Rob Karlinsey

What if the real reason your toothpaste works great or fails completely has nothing to do with marketing and everything to do with your saliva, your habits, and your unique oral chemistry?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami unpack one of the most overlooked questions in oral care: why people choose the products they use. From tartar control to sensitivity, they explore how ingredients like baking soda, hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphates, bioglass, fluoride, stannous fluoride, and potassium nitrate behave in the real world.

You’ll hear why a formula that works beautifully for one person can create problems for another, how pH drives tartar formation, and what consumers should understand before switching to “natural” or alternative products. Dr. Rob and Tami also highlight formulation compatibility issues and walk through sensitivity treatments ranging from OTC toothpastes to medical-device varnishes, ensuring listeners see the full picture behind effective oral-care choices.

 Highlights

• Why understanding your “why” is the foundation of choosing the right oral care product

 • How acidic or alkaline saliva drives both caries risk and tartar formation

 • Real world lessons from a clinician who used baking soda and developed unexpected tartar buildup

 • How elevated pH, diet, and mineral heavy products can interact to create tartar challenges

 • Why hydroxyapatite, CPP ACP, and bioglass can help but also contribute to unwanted mineral deposits

 • The major differences between enamel building ingredients and those that only occlude tubules

 • How Sensodyne (potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride) delivers sensitivity relief and why not every system works for everyone

 • Why bioglass helps some people with sensitivity but may increase tartar risk for others

 • The limitations of hydroxyapatite for sensitivity, especially with limited clinical support

 • When varnishes and medical device sensitivity treatments make sense and how they work

 • The science behind potassium oxalate mouthrinses and how they form acid resistant calcium oxalate

 • Why 1.1 percent sodium fluoride toothpastes can dramatically reduce caries and sensitivity

 • How functionalized tricalcium phosphate enhances fluoride performance without contributing to tartar formation

 • Why consumers shouldn’t hesitate to pivot products when side effects arise

📲 Connect with Dr. Rob (Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD)

🌐 Website: customdentalformulations.com

📄 Research Profile: Robert Karlinsey on ResearchGate

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About the Podcast

Dental Formulator's Playbook
The Dental Formulator’s Playbook is where science meets strategy in the world of oral health innovation. Hosted by Dr. Rob Karlinsey, a seasoned dental researcher and independent formulator, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes pass to what really goes into creating cutting-edge dental products.

Whether you're a dentist, a dental brand, or just someone curious about how toothpaste, rinses, and other oral care products are developed, you'll find practical insights and real-world takeaways in every episode. Dr. Karlinsey keeps it straightforward and engaging—no fluff, just clear, thoughtful explanations based on years of experience in the lab and the industry.

This show is all about helping dental professionals and product developers think differently, make better decisions, and stay ahead of the curve. If you care about science, results, and doing things the right way, you're in the right place.

About your host

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Robert Karlinsey

Dr. Robert L. Karlinsey is a scientist and formulator with almost 20 years’ experience in dental research. He earned a BS in Physics (University of Scranton) and PhD in Chemical Physics (Indiana University), with postdoctoral work in physical chemistry (Indiana University). As a visiting assistant research professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, his research led to an impactful encounter with Dr. George Stookey, and shortly thereafter, the formation of Indiana Nanotech, LLC (now known as Custom Dental Formulations, LLC), of which he spearheaded all research and small-scale manufacturing efforts. Dr. Karlinsey is the inventor of Nanotech’s functionalized tricalcium phosphate systems, which continue to help generate over $100MM in global product sales for a major dental manufacturer. As Principal Investigator, his work has received significant funding through Federal (National Institutes of Health), State (Indiana and Texas), and industry grants and contracts. His research in patented calcium phosphate technologies continue to help generate over $100MM in global product sales. Previously, Dr. Karlinsey has served as Chief Scientific Officer at Therametric Technologies, Inc, and adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Karlinsey addresses clients’ needs in preventive and cosmetic dentistry, including fluoride- and fluoride-free remineralization, antiplaque/gum health, whitening systems, and more. He is actively involved in clinical and laboratory research designs and performance-backed, customized oral care formulation solutions. And, whenever possible, he favors natural, nature-derived, and/or sustainably sourced ingredients