
High‐speed instruments, such as drills, are often used in dental clinics. These instruments remove small pieces from tooth surfaces or from the teeth themselves, which become mixed with water and saliva. This can create an aerosol in the room where the dental treatment is taking place. Aerosols are tiny droplets that remain in the air. Aerosols can be inhaled and can also settle further away on surfaces. Aerosols contain bacteria which may spread infection and disease. Reducing the amount of bacteria in the aerosol may help to reduce the spread of infection. Chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) are some commonly used mouth rinses. They act by killing bacteria in the mouth. The use of mouth rinses before dental treatment has been suggested as a possible way to reduce the bacteria in the aerosol.
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