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An overview of prophylaxis paste and its use in dentistry

6 mins read Oral health and mouth cancer
A professional oral care provision includes the removal of plaque, calculus and staining. The finishing procedure may be an important factor on the long-term oral hygiene performance and may be enhanced with the utilisation of oral hygiene products such as prophylactic pastes

Dental prophylaxis typically consists of placing pumice or an abrasive paste in a rubber cup and applying the paste to the clinical crowns of the teeth using rotating rubber cup at slow speed. This aims at the complete removal of plaque, salivary pellicle, materia alba and extrinsic stains found on the crowns of teeth to reduce and prevent future dental caries.

Administrating prophylaxis paste directly, however, is not within a dental nurse's scope of practice. Nonetheless, this article outlines the clinical aspects of prophylaxis paste, the different types available on the market, and the dental nurse's role within the provision of prophylaxis paste and patient education.

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