Is there a way, i myself can check myself if i have a cavity??
Question: im 13. and lately i havent been brushing my teeth a whole lot. i also have been drinking a bunch of soda and eating a lot of candy. can you plz help me find a way i can check if i have a cavity? i know at the dentist's office they take this metal toothpick on a long rod and stick it in the middle of each tooth and yank the rod out. it the rod kind of sticks to ur tooth, then you have a cavity.
PLEASE HELP!!!
Answers: it's called a shepards hook 23 explorer... it is designed to explore tooth surfaces and check pits to see if they are carious.. you are correct that if it sticks it is a cavity.. just go to your dentist.. if it is a cavity then they can fill it.. makes sense right?
BTW, try not having so much soda, or atleast brushing after you do so.. stay away from candy too or atleast limit yourself... try getting a gum that contains xylitol ( i know dentyne ice has some ) and chew it after your meals or soda/candy splurges.. xylitol can help reduce cavity formation :)
That 'rod' is called an explorer... and good for you that you pay enough attention when you're having your dental exam to know what's being done, and why!
To answer your question, you could get a similar item (sold at pharmacies and department stores) and check your teeth yourself, but if you 'found' something you'd end up at the dentist's office anyway...
Let the dentist/hygienist do the 'picking'... that's what they're there for!
:)
PLEASE HELP!!!
Answers: it's called a shepards hook 23 explorer... it is designed to explore tooth surfaces and check pits to see if they are carious.. you are correct that if it sticks it is a cavity.. just go to your dentist.. if it is a cavity then they can fill it.. makes sense right?
BTW, try not having so much soda, or atleast brushing after you do so.. stay away from candy too or atleast limit yourself... try getting a gum that contains xylitol ( i know dentyne ice has some ) and chew it after your meals or soda/candy splurges.. xylitol can help reduce cavity formation :)
That 'rod' is called an explorer... and good for you that you pay enough attention when you're having your dental exam to know what's being done, and why!
To answer your question, you could get a similar item (sold at pharmacies and department stores) and check your teeth yourself, but if you 'found' something you'd end up at the dentist's office anyway...
Let the dentist/hygienist do the 'picking'... that's what they're there for!
:)
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