What is the role of humectants in polishing pastes?

Humectants in polishing pastes serve the crucial role of retaining moisture, preventing the paste from drying out during use. This is particularly important because a dry polishing paste can become ineffective, making it difficult to apply consistently and reducing its ability to adequately polish the surfaces of the teeth. By maintaining the paste's moisture content, humectants help ensure that the paste remains workable, which allows for effective delivery of the polishing agents onto the tooth surfaces.

While flavor enhancement, teeth whitening, and textural thickening are valuable features in some dental products, they are not the primary function of humectants. Their main purpose is focused on moisture retention, which directly influences the performance and usability of the polishing paste during procedures.