Scalers

Essential to every professional cleaning is the scaler, these are the handheld, metal tools that scrape the tartar and plaque from your teeth. They come in various shapes, but all have pointed ends and blades for every angle in your mouth.

Curettes

Another type of scaler, a curette has a rounded end that is used specifically for scraping the crevices between the gum margin and the root.

Probe

The dental probe helps us find any pockets of decay around the gumline, and it helps when we need to push your tongue out of the way.

Mirror

Maybe not the most high-tech dental tool, the small, circular mirror is one of the most important tools in our toolbox. How else can we see behind your teeth and into every nook and cranny of your mouth.

Polisher

After all the scraping and scaling is done, we buff your teeth with a small powered polisher and a bit of abrasive paste that will make your teeth so smooth and slippery that plaque will have a hard time adhering. Although, you still have to brush and floss, the polishing will help until you come back in another six months.

If you’re past due on your six-month dental checkup and cleaning, call Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our helpful team at MI Roots Family Dental. Phone: 616-453-0002. Make an appointment or come by our office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The post Your Oral Education: The Tools of a Dental Hygienist first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.