We get it – visiting the dentist can cause a lot of fear and uncertainty. With several sharp-looking objects located throughout your dentist’s office, it’s easy to travel down that road. The reality is, these tools are not there to cause you harm. In fact, they’re there to help you Keep reading to find out what these tools are and why you ultimately shouldn’t be scared of the dentist!
Scaler
It may look daunting, but fear not. The scaler is a double-ended tool used to scrape and remove tartar buildup and investigate the pockets between your teeth.
Once the harmful substances are removed with the scaler, your teeth and gums will have a chance to heal. Keep in mind, the affected areas may be sore and tender after scaling – this is normal and should dissipate within a few hours.
As medieval as a scaler looks, it’s still a necessity for dental offices across the globe.
Mouth Mirror
Perhaps the least intimidating of all the tools in your dentist’s office is the mouth mirror.
Your dentist will use this tool to view areas of your mouth that aren’t easily visible. The mouth mirror will make it easier to spot tooth decay or any other potential problems.
The mouth mirror is multi-functional. Your dentist will use this tool to move your tongue aside, leaving more room to work.
They will also use the end of the mirror to gently tap against several teeth to determine where you may or may not be experiencing increased sensitivity and pain. Along with x-rays, this helps determine the exact tooth needing treatment.
Dental Drill
Ah, yes. The dental drill – the most feared tool of them all.
As humans, we are hardwired to fear anything associated with causing extreme discomfort or pain. Some people however, fear dental drills because of previous experiences, such as not being fully numb.
Such occurrences are rare in 2022. Dentists are highly trained in understanding patient comfort and are encouraged to communicate effectively before, during, and after numbing an area that requires treatment. A knowledgeable dentist will ask patients to raise their hand or give a thumbs up if they’re experiencing sensitivity, and will then adjust your numbing medication accordingly.
Although a dental drill spins at approximately 250,000 RPM, it administers water to further reduce the risk of tooth damage.
Despite its bad reputation for making people scared of the dentist, the dental drill is a crucial component for removing tooth decay, preparing a tooth for a filling, polishing fillings, and even performing cosmetic dentistry work.
Polisher
At the very end of your routine teeth cleaning (which should be done every six months), your dentist or dental hygienist will polish your teeth with a tool resembling the drill.
The polisher removes surface level stains and smooths out the surface of your teeth after their rendezvous with the probe and scaler.
Being scared of the dentist is normal, and we’re here to help alleviate that fear every step of the way. At our office, providing total comfort is our top priority. To book an appointment, give us a call at 440-888-6449 or send us an email using our contact form. One of our representatives will be happy to assist.
