The Complete Guide to Dental Care: Tools, Procedures, and FAQs

Posted on Aug 3, 2024 in Biology

Dental Unit Components

The dental unit includes:

  1. Saliva ejector: Prevents saliva from collecting in the floor of the mouth.
  2. Three-in-one syringe (air spray, water spray, both): Dries the operative area.
  3. Curing lamp: Hardens light-cured composites, sealants, and bonding agents.
  4. Suction (oral evacuator, aspirator): Cleans out the operative area.
  5. Fast (high-speed) handpiece (air-rotor): Removes debris and fluids that accumulate in the patient’s mouth.
  6. Spittoon (cuspidor): Allows the patient to spit out mouthwash after rinsing.
  7. X-ray viewer: Allows reading and diagnosing radiographs.

Dental Instruments

  1. Spoon excavator: Removes carious dentin from cavities.
  2. Elevator: Loosens teeth in their sockets.
  3. Dental mirror: Views dental surfaces.
  4. Dental probe: Examines surfaces for caries and locates unsound fillings.
  5. Periodontal probe: Measures periodontal attachment.
  6. Forceps: Extract teeth.
  7. Chisel: Splits off unsupported enamel and smooths cavity margins.
  8. Pliers: Place and remove cotton wool rolls.
  9. Scaler: Manually removes calculus from tooth surfaces.
  10. Cheek retractor: Pulls away the patient’s cheeks.

Common Dental Terms

  • X-ray: A picture of the inside of your body.
  • Floss: To clean between your teeth.
  • Toothpaste: Used to brush your teeth.
  • Fluoride: Used for deep cleaning at the dentist’s office.
  • Braces: Worn to straighten teeth.
  • Chart: Dental records.
  • Hygienist: A dental assistant.
  • Needle: Used to freeze the gums.
  • Antibiotics: Taken to cure an infection.
  • Extract: To pull out (a tooth).

A Visit to the Dentist

Dentist: Hi, Mr. Peacock. Are you here for your six-month checkup?

Mr. Peacock: Yes, but I also have a sore tooth. I think I might have a cavity.

Dentist: Okay. We’ll do an X-ray before your cleaning. Which tooth is bugging you?

Mr. Peacock: It’s a molar on the bottom right side.

Dentist: I see the one. Actually, that’s your wisdom tooth.

Mr. Peacock: Will it need to come out?

Dentist: I won’t know for sure until I see the X-ray. Have you been flossing regularly?

Mr. Peacock: Not as often as I should, I’m afraid.

Dentist: It’s really important to take care of your gums.

Mr. Peacock: I know. I brush twice a day, but I just forget to floss sometimes.

Dental Health FAQs

  1. What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
    Tartar is plaque that hasn’t been removed. It’s harder than plaque.
  2. How quickly can plaque form on your teeth?
    4 to 12 hours after brushing.
  3. If the bacteria in plaque don’t eat your tooth enamel, how do they cause cavities?
    Bacteria produce acid, which eats enamel.
  4. How does sugar help to cause cavities?
    Bacteria eat sugar and they multiply.
  5. What causes toothaches?
    Toothaches are caused by cavities.
  6. What can a buildup of tartar lead to?
    It can lead to gingivitis.
  7. What does flossing do?
    It removes food between your teeth.
  8. Outline the steps you can take to have healthy teeth.
    Brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss, use mouthwash, and don’t eat sugar.

Dental Office Vocabulary

Chair, cavity, nerve, enamel, gums, drill, crown, filling, mirror, scalers.

Parts of a Tooth

Canine, cementum, crown, dentin, enamel, floss, gum, incisors, molars, pulp, root, toothbrush.

Becoming a Dentist

Be a Dentist! Make Healthy Smiles!

  • Help people look and feel better.
  • Fix injured and diseased teeth and gums.
  • Teach people how to care for their teeth for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

Some dentists work only with children, some straighten teeth, some solve tooth mysteries (research), while others do many different things.

Dentists work well with their hands and use small tools.

How Does One Become a Dentist?

  • Study hard in school so that you will do well in high school.
  • When you get to high school, get good grades and take math and science courses.
  • Dentists go to school a long time to learn all about teeth and gums.

Would You Like to Find Out More About Being a Dentist?

  • Ask if you can watch your dentist work on different patients.
  • Contact the ADA for more information.
  • Visit the “Be a Dentist” website at www.ada.org/goto/careers.

Dental Care Worksheet

  1. What does bacteria do to your teeth?
    Causes holes (cavities).
  2. What is gingivitis?
    Gums are red, swollen, and sore.
  3. What do our gums do?
    Hold your teeth in place.
  4. What will happen if you don’t take care of your teeth?
    Cavities and unhealthy gums can develop, and your teeth could fall out.
  5. How many teeth does the average person have?
    32.
  6. How many teeth do you have?
    28.
  7. Name the four kinds of teeth we have in our mouth:
    Canine, incisors, premolars, and molars.
  8. How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
    Two times a day.
  9. How long should you brush your teeth?
    Two or three minutes.
  10. How often should you change your toothbrush?
    Every three months.
  11. How often should you floss?
    Once a day.
  12. Why should you brush your tongue?
    To help keep your breath fresh!
  13. How often should you visit your dentist?
    Twice a year.