Prophy paste is a paste containing mild abrasives, used to remove dental plaque and external stains. Prophylaxis paste is used to polish teeth to reduce further retention of plaque.

Dental paste contains a mixture of cleaning and polishing particles. It is professionally used during dental hygiene procedures. You can see what every product

and prophpy paste samples contain in manufacturers’ websites.

For a prophylaxis paste to be acceptable by patients, there are 3 major requirements:

1. Cosmetic effect – it should be able to remove all stains and, make the patient look and feel better.
2. Good taste – it must be with good smell and taste so it can be easily accepted by patients.
3. Easy handling – good blend and texture makes it easy for both patient and dentist.

Properties of good prophylaxis

The most important property of prophy paste is it removes the tough stain as well as polishes the teeth. It is a special paste with medium grit particles which will break down into small particles for polishing during the same procedure. That means prophy paste at the beginning of the treatment removes the stains, then gets converted as a soft polishing paste. Fluoride is an undesirable additive which lowers its quality and affects the taste. Prophy paste without fluoride is better and recommended. Prophy paste gives you a reliable result with complete patient satisfaction.

• It can be used along with chlorhexidine.
• It aids in the lubrication of dry mouth.
• A good prophy paste stays in the cup without splatter.
• It does not dry or liquifies.
• It will be easy to use and easy to clean.
• It will have a neutral pH.

How to choose

These days taste and smell have become important aspects when choosing a prophy paste. In prophy paste, there are flavors to choose like mint, bubblegum, chocolate, marshmallow etc. Choose the product that benefits your patient the most.

Another important factor to be considered while choosing  is, it should be “gluten free”. Gluten is commonly found in many coloring and flavoring agents used in dentistry. Gluten can cause an allergic reaction in some patients. Prophy paste which is gluten free is a safe buy.

Considerations while selecting :

• Brand name
• Contents or additives of the product
• Can the distributor provide other required information

One needs to be very careful with the abrasiveness of the prophy paste. Coarse paste can wear down the tooth and fine paste will be ineffective in cleaning the teeth surfaces. An ideal prophy paste should contain particles that are neither too coarse nor too fine.

The Prophy paste system consists of different grit sizes to meet different needs. Choose a system that allows you to clean natural, restored as well as replaced teeth. The RDA value defines the abrasiveness of the prophy paste. The paste with high RDA value is advised for tough stains. After this pumice free paste is used for light stains. This results in a smooth surface that resists any bacterial accumulation.

Direction for use

Prophy paste is used by professionals for cleaning and polishing of teeth. For one procedure one cup unit dose of prophy paste is used. Use any prophy angle and rubber cup combination. Fill the cup face with low speed running angle. Maintain enough paste in the cup throughout the procedure to avoid overheating. Use suction during the procedure to avoid swallowing of prophy paste.

Advantages of using prophylaxis paste

This is the best solution for cleaning and polishing of teeth in minimum time. The same paste is used for both stain removal and final polishing. With a choice of flavor and taste, prophy paste fits for patients of all ages. Cost effectiveness of prophy paste is another advantage making it a better choice.

Most important advantages are:

• Excellent cleaning of teeth with minimum abrasion.
• The single step procedure makes it less time-consuming.

1. Prophy paste for adults

This paste is used for adults with medium to heavy stains. Medium grit is used for regular plaque removal and polishing. It is used for heavy stains of tobacco and thick plaque deposits. Strawberry and mint are the common flavors available.

2. Prophy paste for kids

This paste consists of light cleaning and polishing agents. It is a splatter-free, easy to handle paste. A combination of fine and medium grit is recommended for children. Chocolate, bubblegum and marshmallow flavors are kids friendly.

3. Prophy paste for orthodontic patients

These pastes have no added colors or flavors. Medium grit is used for orthodontic patients for regular cleaning and polishing. This paste is ideal for use on any orthodontic brackets or composites.

Precautions

For safe and successful polishing consider these points.

• Use a soft cup to avoid any injury to the gums and underlying tissue.
• Use protective glasses and gloves while doing the procedure. Cover patients’ eyes as it may cause eye irritation.
• Check if the patient is allergic to any of the components.
• The patient should be instructed not to swallow the prophy paste.

Storage

Prophy paste should be stored in cool and dry place. It can be stored at room temperature, if kept in the cooler it should attain room temperature prior to use. It has a shelf life of around 24 months. The expiration date will be mentioned on the packet for reference.

Conclusion

Prophy paste is gaining all the trust due to its reliable results. It works well for regular maintenance of tooth as well as removal of complicated stains. Its pleasant flavors and taste makes the patient get the well-desired look with easy procedure.

There are many prophy pastes available in the market. Consider the product that is best for your patient needs. Right prophy paste can give your patient a delightful and enjoyable experience. By choosing the best quality, you can achieve a good, long-lasting effect.

A prophy paste can help your patient to get that perfectly clean and smoothen teeth without the risk of any damage. Educate the patient about the advantages , which can enhance the patient’s experience.