An oral composition exhibiting increased uptake by dental tissue of antibacterial compounds contained therein and eliminating or substantially reducing the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity. The composition includes an orally acceptable vehicle for such composition, an effective therapeutic amount of an antibacterial compound, a mixture of anionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant, the mixture having 0.1 wt. % to 2.0 wt. % anionic surfactant and 0.8 wt. % to 2.0 wt. % amphoteric surfactant, and a potassium ion releasable compound.