Do you sit in the dentist’s chair wondering which of the tools beside you are about to be used in your mouth? Do you have a fear of dental devices because they look scary and you are unsure what they do? Fear not as all the tools used by your dentist help you have a healthy oral future. Discover what some of the tools are and why they are used. It’s much better to be knowledgeable than afraid.
Are your teeth plaque and tartar ridden? Get rid of the gunk that can lead to periodontal disease by getting a dental cleaning. Your dentist or dental hygienist will use a scaler to perform this job. The scaler has a pointy end and a blunt end. The pointed part is used above your gumline to carefully remove plaque and tartar and the blunt end is used below your gumline.
Plaque and tartar can build up so much that they cause a rough feeling on the surface of your teeth. A scaler helps gets rid of this issue, allowing you to feel a smooth surface across your teeth as you run your tongue over them.
You hear it out in the waiting room. The suction device is like a mini vacuum. Chhhh…the sound might be intimidating but when you get in the dentist’s chair, you will see that it is the tool you want to be used most. The long tube sucks away all the gunk left in your mouth after a dental procedure and sucks up any excess saliva so the dentist can get a better view inside your mouth. Water may or may not be used with this device to help flush residue away from your teeth.
Do you see yourself in the little dental mirror? Yes? Well, your dentist uses the dental mirror to see all angles of your teeth and gums that may be hidden from view. This device is commonly used during check-ups. The mirror allows the dentist to view spots that are not easily seen with the naked eye and since it is attached to a stick, it also allows the dentist to move your tongue or cheek without having to do so with their hands.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, what dental issues do I see?” Get your dentist to have a better look.
Brush up so your oral hygiene stays nice and healthy. Part of professional dental cleaning will involve a polisher. This long electric tool is used for exactly as it sounds, to polish your teeth. A gritty feeling paste is used in conjunction with a polisher to remove uneven areas on your teeth, leaving you with a clean, smooth surface.
Are you ready to show off your beautiful teeth to the world? Regular dental cleaning and polishing go a long way to keeping your teeth at their whitest.
Now that you know a little more about each dental tool mentioned here, you are more informed about your next dental visit. No need to be scared of the unknown when you are armed with information.
