When it comes to choosing the correct pair of gloves, you want the best quality without breaking your bank, especially if you work in the healthcare sector (such as dentistry) and therefore need a steady, trustworthy supply of disposable gloves. However, when there are so many dental supplies companies out there offering different products, buying the best fit for you can become a difficult task. In this article you can find valuable insight to know which gloves are the best for you, according to your own particular needs. Remember that what can be useful and safe for other people, does not necessarily apply to you. Here, we will discuss the differences between the two most popular disposable gloves in the market: latex and nitrile.
Spot the difference
Personal Protective Equipment, such as safety glasses, is frequently used by workers that have interactions with a great amount of customers or colleagues, and the healthcare sector is the one that needs them the most, due to the nature of the profession. When it comes to choosing between latex or nitrile, it is important to consider that both of them aim to solve the same issues. In addition to this, they share similar characteristics regarding weight, elasticity, and protection barrier against most types of surfaces, including those infected with blood-borne blood, plus they can protect the skin from adverse reactions to some cleaners.
Consider your needs
While both nitrile and latex gloves are widely known among consumers from all sectors of the market who regularly use Personal Protection Equipment, there are some important arguments why you should prefer one of them. The first reason you should consider is the case that you or some of the people close to you are allergic to latex. Occasional or prolonged use of latex material on the skin can cause adverse reactions such as rash, breakout, inflammation, among others, if the user is a person with hypersensibility to latex. On the other hand, gloves made out of synthetic components, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or nitrile, are more recommended for people with allergies caused by latex.
Side-effects
It is always a good idea to research the components of the things we wear and their effects, you might be interested to know that nitrile is a synthetic rubber material that is often used in the production of gloves. This compound has gained popularity in recent years because it has become cheaper and manufacturers are using it more than before, customers prefer it usually because these are the most resistant gloves against puncture, compared to other types. Latex comes straight from rubber plants, these are more commonly used because for a long time, this was the only available option on the market. Nonetheless, latex gloves have been gradually replaced by disposable nitrile gloves, especially in hospital and dentist offices.
In conclusion, nitrile gloves have a better performance due to its overall quality. Although latex might be a cheaper choice, it is only recommended if the user does not need protection against aggressive chemicals or puncture.
