Dental cleaning tools are able to remove plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Dental cleaning tools resemble surgical tools, with curves and sharp points designed to reach tiny places between and around the teeth that home cleaning tools cannot reach.
Dental cleaning tools are usually used by the dental hygienist or dentist to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. They have functions that differ slightly from the teeth-cleaning utensils in bathroom cabinets. Because teeth have various shapes, sizes and thicknesses, they also vary in shape and size to achieve optimum performance.
The dental cleaning tools must function to reach between the teeth and be able to dig up any buildup that has accumulated in the chewing center of the back teeth. Also, tools are required to inspect the gums and remove bacteria caught in the gum line. It is also important that the dentist be able to clearly see the details of the teeth and the working dental tools. The dental cleaning tools which may be used during your cleaning, and what they feel like, are described below.
1. The Dental Mirror
This includes one of dental cleaning tools that is crucial to all dentistry treatments and procedures. This is a handheld device with a small mirror on its end – often equipped with a light – that allows the dentist to see around the mouth. This is especially useful in places of the mouth where it would otherwise be virtually impossible to see anything. It also provides a view from a variety of different angles.
2. The Sickle Probe
As one of dental cleaning tools, this tool is a handheld device with a hook shape that ends in an ultra-sharp point. The dentist often has a variety of sickle probes in different sizes and shapes. Also called a dental explorer, the sickle probe is used to examine the teeth and scrape plaque and tartar from between the teeth. The second function of this tool is related to its design that allows the dentist to reach otherwise hard-to-reach places.
3. The Periodontal Probe
A periodontal probe is used to measure the part of your gum that is not attached to your teeth. It is healthy for a small portion of your gum to be unattached to your teeth. However, if you have a larger amount of unattached gum, called a periodontal pocket, you may have gum disease. That is why, this device is one of the most important dental cleaning tools.
4. Burs
These dental cleaning tools are like drill heads and come in a plethora of sizes for many different purposes. They are used for restoration purposes in addition to aiding the fill of cavities, smoothing out the teeth, removing tissue where needed, repairing chips in the teeth and scaling. Gentler burs are used in the cleaning process, working in a rapidly spinning circular motion over the teeth to remove stains and excess plaque from the enamel.
5. Restoration Tools
These dental cleaning tools are useful to restore the teeth when cavities are detected. They include a variety of spoon excavators and chisels designed to treat teeth of all different shapes and sizes. Like little spoons, excavators work to loosen, dig up and scoop out decay and cavities.
