Different Tools Dentists Use

Being able to maintain a healthy mouth requires a lot of dedication on behalf of yourself. Maintaining an effective and consistent brushing and flossing routine is key. However, it is also important to get professional cleanings throughout the year. Typically, it is recommended that you get at least two professional cleanings throughout the year. That being said, some might need more depending on their genetics and oral health. When you visit the dentist, you will be greeted with a lot of tools and instruments that dentists use. By being familiar with the tools that are used during teeth cleanings and other dental procedures, you might be less anxious when the time comes. Below, we will be going over some of the different tools that dentists use during checkups, cleanings, and other procedures.

Dentist Tools:

1. Scaler

This is one of the tools that dentists use during professional cleanings. A scaler might look intimidating, but it is a very safe and effective tool used for scraping off tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth and along the gumlines. There is a pointed end that is meant to clean anything above the gum line and the curved edge is meant to clean effectively below it without injuring the gums. These tools are used to manually scrape the teeth unlike some of the other tools. Thus, they are usually used at the end of cleanings to ensure that everything that is remaining is removed.

A dental scaler is going to be very effective at not only removing stains, tartar, and plaque from the surface of the teeth, but it will also be a very effective tool that can be used to prevent periodontal disease.

2. Ultrasonic Scalers

These are what is most commonly used throughout a majority of the treatment. Ultrasonic scalers like the ones used at your local dentist are meant to get rid of the majority of the plaque and tartar buildup because it is very effective at doing so. Along with this, this automatic scale is much more efficient due to the ultrasonic vibrations.

3. Mirror

Another tool that is typically used throughout the entire cleaning is a mirror. A dental mirror is one of the most important (if not the most important) tools that will be used throughout the entire cleaning. The reason a mirror is so important is that it gives the hygienist and dentist the ability to look around the surfaces of your teeth and along your gumline. Without having a mirror, you wouldn’t be able to see the back of your teeth or throughout other areas of your mouth. These mirrors are typically used in conjunction with reflecting light which can help to maximize visibility throughout your entire mouth allowing the hygienists to be able to see where there are plaque and tartar buildup much easier.

4. Explorer

Another common tool that a dentist uses when you are getting a checkup would be an explorer. This is regularly used in order to check for the density of your tooth and to look for cavities. When the dentist is going through after getting your tooth cleaning and checking your teeth individually, they are using an explorer. This allows them to check for fractures, plaque, and more.

5. Suction

This is another device that you should be familiar with as it is used throughout your dental cleaning. A suction device is used to help vacuum out the excess saliva in your mouth. Along with this, it is used to help vacuum out the excess water that is used throughout the entire treatment. That way, it can help to keep your mouth dry during the treatment so they will be able to perform the cleaning properly. It can also make it much more comfortable during the cleaning because the device will be vacuuming out saliva and water that might otherwise cause you to swallow frequently during the cleaning.

6. Water and Air Syringe

This is another tool that is used throughout the treatment which is meant to help squirt water onto your teeth and into your mouth. The hygienist is going to use this device when they are needing to spray your teeth and gums during the cleaning. They will need to spray in order to get rid of debris that needs to be removed. This is why during the cleanings you might have the hygienist sprat your mouth and ask you to close it so the suction can get rid of it. The air spray portion of the device is used to effectively dry your mouth and your teeth when needed.

You can learn more about Air and Water Syringes here.

7. Polisher

This is a tool that is used in order to apply the polishing paste to your teeth. The hygienist will put the polishing paste on it to polish your teeth. The paste is mildly abrasive which will allow it to effectively remove hard to get rid of plaque and stains on your teeth. Because of its design, it is not going to harm your teeth and it is painless and effective at making your teeth cleaner.

8. X-Ray Machine

If you visit the dentist, you are likely going to be asked to get x-rays frequently. X-rays are used to identify issues with your mouth and your oral health. X-rays can be very effective at identifying issues with your teeth and gums. They can even be used to spot problem areas and to identify tooth decay or impacted teeth. Because of the number of problems they can help a dentist identify that they wouldn’t be able to without, they are a very important component of proper oral care and maintenance. You will get an x-ray performed yearly to ensure that your mouth is completely healthy. They might even request that you get x-rays done even more frequently if you have specific risk factors. Some of the common risk factors might be signs or genetics pointing to oral disease, your age, a history of cavities or gum disease, or even the current state of your oral health.

9. Excavators

A dentist will use excavators when they are dealing with cavities or tooth decay. A spoon excavator will be used to remove soft decay. Whereas, dental hatchers will be used in order to widen the entrance of a cavity to get rid of some of the enamel.

10. Local Anesthesia

This is an anesthetic drug that is used to effectively numb the mouth. This is likely to be used for various procedures including but not limited to tooth extraction or something else. It is meant to minimize the pain or discomfort that a patient would experience from the procedure. With local anesthesia, the patient remains in an awake state while sedated.

Overall, there are so many different kinds of instruments and tools that are regularly used throughout your dental cleanings. If you are someone that has always been curious to know about them or even fearful of the dentist because of the unknown, you should feel at ease. Each of these tools are safe and effective. Each tool serves a specific purpose and when combined together form a very powerful arsenal for your hygienist and dentist to use to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Maintaining a healthy mouth is crucial to your overall health. A lot of diseases is rooted in dental problems. Thus, keeping your oral hygiene as optimal as possible is key to maintaining your general health. Because of this, you want to visit your dentist a minimum of every six months to ensure that you are getting professional cleanings to keep your oral hygiene in optimal shape.

Being able to maintain a healthy mouth requires a lot of dedication on behalf of yourself. Maintaining an effective and consistent brushing and flossing routine is key. However, it is also important to get professional cleanings throughout the year. Typically, it is recommended that you get at least two professional cleanings throughout the year. That being said, some might need more depending on their genetics and oral health. When you visit the dentist, you will be greeted with a lot of tools and instruments that dentists use. By being familiar with the tools that are used during teeth cleanings and other dental procedures, you might be less anxious when the time comes. Below, we will be going over some of the different tools that dentists use during checkups, cleanings, and other procedures.