Dentifrices

Flashcards about dentrifices

Dentifrice

A substance used with a toothbrush to clean teeth, tongue, and gingiva, and to deliver cosmetic and therapeutic agents to the oral environment.

Types of Dentifrices

Nonfoaming to low-foaming, ingestible, free of preservatives/dyes, fluoride, amorphous calcium phosphate, antibacterial, antisensitivity, salivary enzymes and lubricants.

Toothpaste Tube Cross-Contamination

The opening of the tube can transmit infectious diseases; each family member should have their own tube.

Forms of Dentifrices

Powder, liquid gel, gel, foaming gel, gel/paste, tablets.

Medicinal Ingredient

Produces a therapeutic or beneficial effect on either the hard or soft tissues.

Nonmedicinal Ingredient

Necessary to make the toothpaste thick, hold together, clean efficiently, or have a particular color or flavor.

Common Dentifrice Abrasives

Phosphates, Carbonates, Silicas, Aluminum compounds, Other substances

Humectants

Used to retain moisture and ensure stability of product.

Preservatives

Inhibit mold and bacterial growth and prolong shelf life.

Binders

Thickeners prevent separation of ingredients

Detergents

Foaming agents to loosen debris and stains

Anticaries Remineralizing Agents

Fluoride, nonfluoride components, antimicrobial components that target caries pathogens

Bioavailability

Occurs when the medicinal agent is stable during storage and biologically active when used in the mouth to achieve the desired therapeutic effect

Factors that affect bioavailability

Type of fluoride, pH of less than 6, the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

Adverse Health Effects of Dentifrices

Fluorosis, erythema, scaling and fissuring of the perioral area, cheilitis, gingivitis, circumoral dermatitis, mucosal desquamation or ulceration, staining or soft-tissue irritation, allergic reactions

Insoluble Materials

Affect abrasiveness of dentifrice

Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) Scale

Measures the abrasiveness of most dentifrices

Dentifrice pH

Can be beneficial or detrimental to dental structures by interfering with or supporting the remineralization process

Causes of Loss of Tooth Structure

Type of dentifrice used, frequency of brushing, toothbrush filament hardness, pressure during brushing, direction of brush strokes, manual or powered toothbrush, surface substrate being brushed, insufficient amount of salivary flow or constituents

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Assess the patient’s health, dental, and pharmacologic histories before making a particular dentifrice recommendation