Temporary dental cements used to temporarily affix a dental prosthesis or appliance to a tooth or other dental substrate includes one or more soothing agent to prevent or reduce tooth sensitivity. The temporary dental cement includes a mixture of an ion leaching agent, polycarboxylic acid, a soothing agent and water. The soothing agent (e.g., 2-ethoxybenzoic acid and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) is added in an amount so as to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity associated with the reaction between the polycarboxylic and the ion leaching agent (base). The temporary cement composition is sufficiently hydrophilic that it can be readily removed from the tooth when it is desired to permanently restore the tooth.
