The Use of Pumice for Cleaning Teeth
Dental laboratories use different tools and products to clean teeth and battle gum diseases. All laboratories use a byproduct of volcanic ash to keep teeth clean. Pumice is a product that originates from volcanic activity. Volcanic rock is performed to create the cleaning products which are related to dental work.
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Identification
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Pumice is extracted from volcanic rock and formed from silica lava which is the byproduct of volcanic eruption. The volcanic eruption produces the ashes that can be cooled and float on water allowing the lava to be collected and manufactured as a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent can be in the form of a liquid, gel or powder.
Use in Dental Laboratories
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In dental laboratories and clinics, Pumice is a powder is used as a product for teeth cleaning and whitening and to clean dental prostheses. The pumice ingredient can be found in other regular cleaners, such as hand soap, cosmetic cleaners and polishes. As a dental abrasive cleaner, pumice provides a deep cleaning action to teeth and acts as an agent to kill bacteria on the teeth before it affects the gums.
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Geography
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Pumice is found in more than 50 countries, and the largest manufacturer is Italy. Countries such as Greece, Chile, Spain, Turkey and the United States also produce pumice. Dental companies, such as Colgate, buy the raw product of pumice to manufacture the ingredient into their product line of toothpaste and teeth whiteners.
Side Effects
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According to the Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, contaminated pumice carries alternative effects exposing doctors and patients to various bacteria, fungi and skin diseases. If a persons teeth is cleaned with contaminated pumice, a may result in sickness involving the pelvic region of the body and also soreness of the gums. Dental technicians must ensure that pumice is stored in a controlled environment and used before the normal expiration date provided by the manufacturer.
Benefits
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When used properly in a dental laboratory setting, pumice can benefit customers with deep cleaning to their teeth and the cleaning of other dental items. Pumice also fights surface tooth bacteria and bacteria which is hard to see with the human eye. The benefits from cleaning teeth or using toothpaste with the ingredient of pumice results in whiter, cleaner teeth.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Paul Stocker
