What Are Those Things in the Dentist’s Office?

In our dentist’s office exist a host of devices used for the maintenance and care of our teeth.  With most of us not knowing exactly what these all are for there’s ample opportunity for our anxiety about receiving dental care to build up as we stare at what appears to be a creative array of torture devices wondering how they’ll be used on us.  The great thing about your dentist is they want you to be comfortable and explain what all these tools are for, and to let you know that they are used to make your mouth feel better and stay healthy, not hurt you. That’s why we put together this list of things you might see in your dentist office, so you can learn what they are and not be afraid!

Mouth Mirror

This little device is very useful for your dentist. It helps them look around inside your mouth, seeing in all the nooks and crannies to identify where issues may be happening so they can help fix them.  Since your dentist can’t stick his head in your mouth, this tool is very useful!

Saliva Ejector

Unlike the name implies this tool isn’t for spraying saliva into your mouth, instead it’s for ‘ejecting’ it from your mouth!  You’re probably familiar with this tool under the name ‘the sucky thing’, and have had it used on you before. It’s not at all dangerous or painful, it’ll just gently stick to your cheek and is easily pulled off.

Intraoral Camera

This is a more advanced version of the mouth mirror, providing the dentist a way to look inside your mouth that is then projected on a screen.  Even better? This device means that you can look inside your mouth and see what the dentist is seeing too! This way he can show you the spots you need to brush and floss better to protect your teeth the best.

X-Ray Machine

This device may be a little scary, but it’s one of the most important tools the dentist has available.  Using this machine he can take a picture of the inside of your mouth, seeing the jaw and the teeth so he can tell if something is happening where his eyes can’t see.  Your dentist will share these x-rays with you so you can understand what’s going on with your teeth and jaw, and what you can do to keep it strong and healthy.

If you want to learn more about the things the dentist uses during one of your visits, you can just ask them! You can also speak to your hygienist, they’ll be happy to explain what all those things are for.  Dr. Swati Singh is a pediatric dentist who’s been helping kids like you learn more about dental health concerns from their offices at Smiling Kids Indianapolis. The community of Indianapolis, IN has been happy to have this great dentist available to help them and their children take great care of their teeth!