Which statement about dentin desensitizers is false?

The statement that potassium nitrates occlude dentinal tubules to stop sensitivity is incorrect. Instead, potassium nitrates work primarily by affecting the nerve responses associated with sensitivity rather than physically blocking the tubules themselves. This compound serves to depolarize the nerves, which reduces the transmission of pain signals.

In contrast, arginine, often combined with calcium carbonate, acts to seal dentin tubules, thereby directly addressing sensitivity through a physical blocking mechanism. The 5% potassium nitrate found in some toothpaste formulations functions by depolarizing nerve endings, rather than relying on a tubule occlusion method. Therefore, the false statement is that potassium nitrates occlude the dentinal tubules, when in fact their role revolves around nerve depolarization to mitigate sensitivity.