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      • Root Canals
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      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Guides
      • After Oral Surgery
      • Botox in Springfield
      • Calcium Deposits
      • Caregiver’s Guide
      • Choosing a Dentist
      • Dental Care
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Our Offices
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Your Child’s First Visit
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening

Our Quick Guide to Pediatric Dental Tools Our Staff Uses

  • October 19, 2022
  • 4:19 pm
  • Pediatric
  • tools we use
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

Kids might express some trepidation about going to the dentist. You can explain to your child that going to the dentist is normal, and your dentist will take good care of you. 

There is a lot to know and keep track of when you’re at the dentist. There are chairs, lights, colors, sounds, and dental tools that a dentist uses during an appointment.

We’ll review a quick guide to the dental tools a pediatric dentist will use when your child sits in the chair during an appointment.

Dental Mirror

A dental mirror, also known as a special mirror or little mirror, lets the dentist look closely at every angle of your child’s teeth in the front, back, and sides. The small mirror can show signs of plaque build-up, decay, or cavities.

Your child’s dentist might let your child see their reflection in this dental tool to show it’s just like a mirror at home, only it enables you to look at teeth from a view that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Related Post: Common Tools Used by Dentists at Parkcrest Dental Group

Tooth Explorer

A dentist has one pointy tool to use, and it’s called a tooth explorer. This tool usually has a hooked, pointed end to let a dentist count the teeth in your youngster’s mouth and also to see if there are any loose ones, as well as check for cavities.

Although the pointy end might seem scary, a pediatric dentist will keep this end of the tool away from your child as best as possible. We might call this tool a tooth counter.

Tooth Polisher

The electric toothbrush with a rubber tip is called a tooth polisher, but our staff might refer to it as a spinning toothbrush. The special cleaning paste used with the polisher makes teeth bright and shiny while protecting them with fluoride.

Dental Water Jet

We use a dental water jet to clean away any unwanted bits of food from your child’s mouth. Our staff might call it Miss Water Whistle because it’s like whistling, only with water instead of air. We’ll use this tool to rinse away fluoride treatments after they are done.

Saliva Ejector

A saliva ejector sucks away any excess water or saliva in your child’s mouth. It may sound and feel weird because when your youngster closes their mouth completely, the suction action works quickly.

We’ll call this dental tool Mister Thirsty because he is very thirsty and takes big drinks of water.

Related Post: Dealing With Children’s Common Fears About Their Pediatric Dentist

Who can help me with some oral hygiene tips for helping my loved one?

The dentists and oral hygienists at Parkcrest Dental Group will make your child feel comfortable during your youngster’s appointment. 

Feel free to reach out to us at any time during office hours by calling (417) 887-1120. We’re happy to assist!

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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