Children's Terms for Dental Tools

Visiting the dentist can be frightening for a young child. To make a dental cleaning or procedure more comfortable for children, it can be helpful to use terms for dental instruments that are understandable to the child. This will allow the child to have a better idea about what each tool will be used for.

The Tickler

• The tickler is a code name for the polisher in the dentist's office. The bristles on the polisher rotate onto the teeth, which feels like a tickle on most people. When children hear the name tickler, they can be prepared for what the polisher feels like in their mouth.

The Scraper

• Many children become distraught when they see a sharp, curved tool coming towards them to clean their teeth. Calling this tool a scraper helps the children understand what the tool will be doing in their mouth, which is scraping off tartar and plaque from their teeth and gum lines.

The Buffer

• The buffer is a more whimsical name for a drill, and can help children who are getting a cavity filled feel less nervous about the sound of the tool. Children can be told that the cavity will be buffed away by the buffer, which makes a sound similar to an electric toothbrush.