Plastic Dental Tools

Dental tools include a variety of instruments used by dentists to clean or repair teeth. These tools can be made of metal, plastic or wood. Dental tools have different functions and purposes and which one a dentist will use depends on the repair he has to do. Plastic dental tools can be used both in a home and in dental offices. While metal can easily damage your teeth or gum, plastic is softer, thus there is less possibility for scratching and hurting a patient.

Plastic Dental Toothpicks

• Toothpicks can clean your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. They are common dental instruments that can be used both at home and in a dentist's office. You can find dental picks made of soft plastic that cannot scratch and hurt your teeth. These dental tools are small and easy to carry. They are available for everyone and you can find them in stores and pharmacies. Cleaning your teeth with toothpicks is not a substitute for brushing them.

Wedges

• Dental wedges come in different sizes and materials, but the most common material used for these tools is plastic. Dentists use wedges to repair cavities. They have to use the wedge that fits the teeth, thus the first choice is the largest wedge. These tools help dentists by improving visibility and accurate cavity assessment.

Toothbrushes

• A dental tool that consists of a nylon bristle and a handle is the basic component of dental hygiene. Toothbrushes are made of plastic and they are used for removing food particles and plaque from teeth. If you brush your teeth correctly, it can prevent cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. These diseases are the main causes of losing teeth for elderly people. Dentists recommend brushing teeth at least twice a day for three minutes. Toothbrushes come in different designs and shapes.

Filling Instruments

• Dentists fill dental cavities with filling instruments. These tools can be made of stainless steel or plastic. They come in different sizes and styles and have a paddle end and a plugger end. The first one carries and places restorative materials for cavity preparation, while the plugger end condenses this material. The ends of filling instruments are thick in order to push the filling material into the gap on the tooth.