Hand Tools
Hand-held mouth mirrors assist hygienists in peering into hard-to-see nooks and crannies of a patient's mouth to look for tartar deposits or signs of decay. For small, soft deposits of tartar, dental hygienists use various hand tools, including metal scalers and curettes. Hand scalers are hook-shaped instruments that feature pointed tips that scrape away plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. Curettes are similar to scalers, but have rounded ends and are used to clear away tartar deposits underneath the gums.
Ultrasonic Scalers
Similar to hand scalers, ultrasonic scalers are used to pull away plaque and tartar from the surface of teeth. However, these technologically advanced tools are powered by pneumatic turbines and vibrate to break down plaque and tartar. This saves the hygienist the energy of having to manually scrape away at the teeth, and often results in a deeper clean than hand scalers provide. For patients who tend to steer clear of the dentist because they're afraid of pain, ultrasonic scalers tend to be gentler than hand scalers, providing a more comfortable experience overall.
Polishers
Once a hygienist has successfully removed any plaque and tartar lurking in a patient's mouth, she can get to work polishing the teeth so they look bright and shiny. Polishers are slow-speed rotary tools that buff away uneven areas on teeth and leave the entire surface smooth and even. Polished teeth are easier for healthy gums to attach to -- and harder for plaque and tartar to grow on.
X-Rays
Decay is prone to lurk deep within teeth, and can go unnoticed by the naked eye until it's too late to reverse and repair without sacrificing the entire tooth. To check for cavities and other signs of damage and decay, dental hygienists often take X-rays of patients' mouths to get a clear picture of their dental health.
Syringes
For patients with low-tolerance for pain, dental hygienists may need to administer a local anesthetic using a syringe so they can complete their work. For excessive tartar buildup or advanced cases of periodontal disease, a more thorough cleaning than usual is needed, which can cause pain and bleeding in patients, so a local anesthetic is commonly used in these procedures.
