Mouth Mirrors
The mouth mirror is the tiny mirror attached to a long handle. Mouth mirrors serve two purposes: they allow the dentist to see hard-to-reach places in the mouth in order to see if there is tooth decay or any other causes for alarm, and they also help the dentist move of the tongue or cheek into a position that will allow them the best vantage point of your teeth, gums and cheeks.
Dental Probes
A dental probes is an instrument that is used to examine your gum pockets. The measuring device on the probe helps the dentist determine if you may have periodontal disease. These probes are often also used to find holes in the tooth enamel, or to remove tartar and plaque.
Scalers and curettes
Scalers are likely one of the most hated dental instruments. These hand-held, sharp tools are very effective for scraping tartar and plaque. They are curved to mimic the shape of a tooth so that they can access between the teeth and behind the back teeth to remove even minuscule tartar deposits. Many people dread the scaler because of the feeling and sound associated with its use, but it is one of the most important tools in a dentist’s office.
Saliva ejectors
Saliva can get in the way of a dentist’s work, so sometimes they use saliva ejectors to dry out the mouth in order to make it easier to carry out procedures. A saliva ejectors is a small, vacuum-like tool that can easily be inserted into a mouth in order to suck away excess saliva.
