A dental mouth mirror is a small mirror attached to a handle that allows dentists to view inaccessible areas of the mouth. It can also be used as a reflector, barrier remover, and teaching tool. The mirror can be used in other professions and for crafts.
A mouth mirror, or dentist’s mirror, is a dental instrument. It is a small mirror that fits into an individual’s mouth and is attached to an extended handle. The dental mouth mirror is one of the most important pieces of dental equipment found in a dental specialist’s exam room, although the devices can be useful in other professional arenas as well.
The basic makeup of a mouth mirror consists of a small angled mirror attached to a thin handle, typically made of metal or strong plastic. A mirror generally comes in three sizes: 2, 4 and 5. The actual mirror can also come in different shapes, with a circular shape being the most common. A dentist’s mirror can be designed for single use, disposable, or repeated use. It can also hold a mirror on either side and can have a folding intersection between mirror and handle.
The small size of the mirrors allows the dentist to view areas of the mouth that are inaccessible to the eye, such as the back teeth. Each tooth can be examined separately because the width and length of the mirror require individual examination. Most mirrors are also attached to the elongated part of the angled instrument, so the dentist can access the sides of the teeth.
The mirrors also serve adequately as a reflector. Many parts of the mouth are dimly lit, and the mouth mirror can reflect light off these surfaces. Therefore, cavities, food lodgings, loose braces, and other potential dental problems are more easily detected. Furthermore, proper lighting allows both the dentist and the patient to remain in a comfortable position during the exam.
On a more practical level, the mouth mirror can be used as a barrier remover. Areas of concern to a dentist are usually covered by obstructions in the mouth such as the tongue or the inside of the cheeks. Mouth mirrors can push these delicate tissues aside painlessly. In this way, the mirror is useful as a companion to other dental tools such as cleaning utensils.
Professionals have issued some recommendations for effective use of the mouth mirror. For one, the dentist should use a light grip to prevent muscle or skeletal strain in the hands. Padded gripping surfaces can further ease discomfort. Also, you can prevent the mirror from fogging by placing the reflective surface under hot water. Furthermore. Mouth mirrors can also serve as effective teaching tools on proper dental care for both young children and adults.
While the mouth mirror is often applied to its namesake, the tool can prove invaluable for other uses. For example, its visual capabilities make the mouth mirror a useful tool for people who work with confined spaces such as engineers, mechanics, and repair technicians. These same features, plus the illumination capabilities, also make the instrument attractive in some labs and other medical environments. Some individuals even make small mirrors a feature of craft projects.
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