The Science Behind Dental Prophy Paste and Its Cleaning Power

Dental prophy paste is a product that dental hygienists use to clean and polish the teeth of their patients. It is applied to the teeth using a rotating rubber cup or a brush attached to a handpiece. Dental prophy paste helps remove plaque, stains, and calculus from the tooth surface, as well as smooth out any roughness or irregularities. Dental prophy paste also contains fluoride and other ingredients that can strengthen the enamel and prevent tooth decay and sensitivity.

But how does dental prophy paste work? What are the ingredients that make it effective? How can dental hygienists choose the best dental prophy paste for their patients? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explore the science behind dental prophy paste and its cleaning power. We will also provide some tips on how to use dental prophy paste safely and effectively.

What are the Components of Dental Prophy Paste?

Dental prophy paste consists of four main components: abrasive, binder, humectant, and flavoring. Each component has a specific role and function in the formulation of dental prophy paste.

Abrasive:

The abrasive is the most important component of dental prophy paste, as it is responsible for removing plaque, stains, and calculus from the tooth surface. The abrasive is usually made of pumice, silica, aluminum oxide, or calcium carbonate particles. The size, shape, hardness, and concentration of the abrasive particles determine the cleaning efficiency and abrasiveness of the dental prophy paste.

Generally, larger, harder, and more irregular particles are more effective in removing stains and calculus, but they are also more abrasive and can cause damage to the enamel and dentin. Smaller, softer, and more spherical particles are less effective in removing stains and calculus, but they are also less abrasive and can preserve the enamel and dentin. Therefore, dental hygienists should choose the appropriate grit size of dental prophy paste according to the patient’s needs and preferences.

Binder:

The binder is the component that holds the abrasive particles together and gives the dental prophy paste its consistency and texture. The binder is usually made of water-soluble polymers, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, or alginate. The binder affects the viscosity, flowability, spatterability, and rinsability of the dental prophy paste. Generally, higher viscosity means better retention of the abrasive particles on the tooth surface, but also more difficulty in dispensing and rinsing off the dental prophy paste. Lower viscosity means easier dispensing and rinsing off the dental prophy paste, but also more spatter and loss of abrasive particles during polishing. Therefore, dental hygienists should choose the appropriate viscosity of dental prophy paste according to their technique and equipment.

Humectant:

The humectant is the component that prevents the dental prophy paste from drying out and hardening during storage and use. The humectant is usually made of glycerin, sorbitol, or propylene glycol. The humectant affects the stability, shelf life, and solubility of the dental prophy paste. Generally, higher humectant content means longer shelf life and better solubility of the dental prophy paste in water or saliva, but also lower stability and more tendency to separate or crystallize over time.

Lower humectant content means shorter shelf life and poorer solubility of the dental prophy paste in water or saliva, but also higher stability and less tendency to separate or crystallize over time. Therefore, dental hygienists should choose the appropriate humectant content of dental prophy paste according to their storage conditions and frequency of use.

Flavoring:

The flavoring is the component that adds taste and aroma to the dental prophy paste. The flavoring is usually made of natural or artificial flavors, such as mint, cherry, bubble gum, or chocolate. The flavoring affects the palatability, acceptability, and compliance of the dental prophy paste by the patient. Generally, more pleasant flavor means higher patient satisfaction and cooperation during polishing, but also more possibility of allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain ingredients.

Less pleasant flavor means lower patient satisfaction and cooperation during polishing, but also less possibility of allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain ingredients. Therefore dental hygienists should choose the appropriate flavoring of dental prophy paste according to the patient’s preferences and medical history.

How Does Dental Prophy Paste Clean the Teeth?

Dental prophy paste cleans the teeth by a combination of mechanical and chemical actions. The mechanical action is the result of the friction between the abrasive particles of the dental prophy paste and the tooth surface. The abrasive particles act like tiny sandpapers that scrape off the plaque, stains, and calculus from the enamel and dentin. The chemical action is the result of the fluoride and other ingredients of the dental prophy paste that interact with the tooth surface. The fluoride and other ingredients act like protective agents that remineralize, harden, and seal the enamel and dentin.

The cleaning efficiency and abrasiveness of dental prophy paste depend on several factors, such as:

• The grit size of the abrasive particles. As mentioned earlier, larger, harder, and more irregular particles are more effective in removing stains and calculus, but they are also more abrasive and can cause damage to the enamel and dentin. Smaller, softer, and more spherical particles are less effective in removing stains and calculus, but they are also less abrasive and can preserve the enamel and dentin.
• The speed and pressure of the handpiece. The faster and harder the handpiece rotates, the more friction and heat it generates. This can increase the cleaning efficiency and abrasiveness of dental prophy paste, but it can also cause more damage to the tooth surface and pulp. Therefore, dental hygienists should use moderate speed and pressure when polishing the teeth with dental prophy paste.
• The duration and frequency of polishing. The longer and more often the teeth are polished with dental prophy paste, the more plaque, stains, and calculus are removed, but also more enamel and dentin are lost. Therefore, dental hygienists should limit the duration and frequency of polishing to avoid excessive tooth wear and sensitivity.

How to Use Dental Prophy Paste Safely and Effectively

Dental prophy paste can be useful for cleaning and polishing the teeth, but it can also cause harm if used improperly or excessively. Here are some tips on how to use dental prophy paste safely and effectively:

• Choose a dental prophy paste that is suitable for your needs and preferences. You can use the factors and the reviews mentioned above to help you decide which dental prophy paste to buy.
• Use a dental prophy paste only for cleaning and polishing the teeth. Do not use it for other purposes that may be incompatible or unsafe, such as whitening, filling, or bonding.
• Keep your dental prophy paste clean and dry. Wash your dental prophy paste container regularly with soap and water or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Dry it thoroughly before refilling it with new pieces of dental prophy paste.
• Refill your dental prophy paste container with fresh pieces of dental prophy paste as needed. Do not reuse or recycle old pieces of dental prophy paste that may be dirty, sticky, or contaminated.
• Dispose of the used pieces of dental prophy paste properly. Do not swallow or spit out the used pieces of dental prophy paste. Throw them away in a trash bin or a compost bin, depending on the material of the dental prophy paste.
• Consult your dentist if you have any problems or questions regarding using dental prophy paste. Your dentist can advise you on the best oral hygiene practices for your specific needs and conditions. Your dentist can also check for any signs of damage or infection caused by using dental prophy paste.

Dental prophy paste is a product that dental hygienists use to clean and polish the teeth of their patients. It consists of four main components: abrasive, binder, humectant, and flavoring. It works by a combination of mechanical and chemical actions that remove plaque, stains, and calculus from the tooth surface, as well as strengthen and protect the enamel and dentin.

However, dental prophy paste can also cause harm if used improperly or excessively. Therefore, it is important to have a good dental prophy paste holder that can keep the dental prophy paste clean, accessible, and convenient to use. It is also important to follow some tips on how to use dental prophy paste safely and effectively.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about dental prophy paste and its cleaning power. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.