Dental Pharmacology

Question 1

Dental pharmacology consists of ? 4

Answer 1

1. Dentrifices
2. Astringents
3. Obtundants
4. Mummifying agents

Question 2

What is dentrifices?

Answer 2

These are the agents or mechanical aids which are available as tooth powder, paste, or gel and used with tooth brush to cleanse and polish natural teeth.

Question 3

Characteristics of ideal dentrifices? 5

Answer 3

1. An ideal dentifrice should assist the toothbrush to mechanically remove debris, soft deposits and stains from the teeth.
2. It should be non-decalcifying and non-overabrasive to the teeth.
3. It should impart a polished surface to the teeth.
4. If swallowed, it should be nonpoisonous to the body as a whole and also to the mucous membrane.
5. Should have pleasant taste and odour and having sufficient cleansing property
6. Should help to reduce caries, maintain healthy gingiva, improve aesthetics and reduce mouth odours.

Question 4

Ingredients of dentrifices? 13

Answer 4

1. Abrasive agent
2. Detergent
3. Antiseptic
4. Sweetening agents
5. Colouring agents
6. Flavouring agents
7. Humectants
8. Binding agents
9. Sodium bicarbonate
10. Preservative
11. Fluorides
12. Desensitised agents
13. Enzymes

Question 5

What are the abrasive agents ( dentrifices)?

Answer 5

These are fine dental preparations used to help the scouring action to toothbrush mechanically.

Question 6

Classification of abrasive agents?3

Answer 6

1. Finishing abrasive
2. Polishing abrasive
3. Cleansing abrasive

Question 7

What is finishing abrasives?

Answer 7

They are hard, coarse abrasives which are used initially to develop contour and remove gross irregularities e.g. coarse stones.

Question 8

What is polishing abrasive?

Answer 8

They have fine particle size and less hard than abrasive used for finishing. They are used for smoothening the surfaces that have been roughened by coarse stones.

Question 9

Example of polishing abrasive ?

Answer 9

Pumice, polishing cakes

Question 10

What is cleansing abrasive?

Answer 10

They are soft materials with small particle size and are used to remove soft deposits that adhere to enamel or restorative material.

Question 11

Inactive ingredients of dentrifices?

Answer 11

1. Abrasive agents
2. Binding agents
3. Humectants
4. Detergents
5. Buffering agents
6. Sweetening agents
7. Flavouring agents
8. Dyes/ colouring agents
9. Preservatives
10. Whitening agents