When I first had periodontal issues this was one of the first things I began using to help rid of the plaque in and around my teeth and gum line. Of course you need to use caution and follow instructions carefully because certain elements found in dental plaque, may cause clotting and an increased risk of heart disease in some people.

**Description & Cost**

For about $8 you get a fog free mirror along with a scaler and pick. The handles on these I noticed have changed to more of a flexible handle then the past ones. The "scaler" is the one I use more often over the pick. The scaler effectively removes plaque, tartar, and stains to keep teeth white. The dental pick safely dislodges food particles and plaque from between the teeth. The package states that both of the picks are made from soft steel that safely cleans without damaging the tooth enamel.

Pls note* the heading for the "Dentek" is for a package of 6 whereas I bought just the one package which includes 1 mirror, 1 scaler and 1 pick....for about $8.

****How To Use****

Dental Scaler: You hold the pick so that the top of the curve is flat against the tooth. Gently pull away from the gum line toward the biting edge of each tooth.

Dental Pick: You start at the gum line between the teeth and gently pull the pick away from the gum line to remove the impacted food.

As you do either the scaler and/or the pick...do not swallow any of the plaque or tartar you manage to get off your teeth! Try to rinse regularly -- as you scale / pick a few teeth at a time. I usually have a wad of kleenex sitting on my lap to wipe off any excess plaque from the tool(s), then when I see enough sitting on my teeth and feel the need to rinse I get up, and rinse, and continue the same steps.

After use, rinse picks with warm water and allow to air dry.


~~~~ My Experience with Using the DenTek Scaler & Pick ~~~~

I usually sit on the toilet top and place a lighted magnifying mirror in front of me on the sink. You want plenty of light. My favorite tool is the "scaler" as it helps remove my harder to get off plaque/tartar. The end comes to a moderate sharp point but overall is not pin-point sharp. Still, you want to be cautious until you get the hang of this and know how to use it. I get the scaler as close to the gum line while carefully using the curve to the scaler to scrape off and pull up/off the plaque. When I do my top teeth, it's a little easier around teeth like the eye and teeth next to it (coming down) as I will gently put the scaler at the gum line and "feel" for a snag of some sort which tells me it's not "smooth", therefore meaning there is plaque where I can not see it slightly under the gum line. This is when I gently and cautiously use the sharper part of that curve to pull down and get the plaque to release. The bottom fronts (inside and out) is also very easy to do.

I usually start out on the fronts first, then go to the insides. That is where the mirror comes in handy along with using the lighted magnifying mirror. I tend to get tartar build-up on the inside front bottom teeth so this helps keep things clean until my next 3 month perio cleaning. I will never be without these types of dental tools.

The "dental pick" comes in handy for the tighter areas like my two front bottom teeth especially; as the teeth seem to touch each other the dental "pick" is smaller then the "scaler" and helps to get the plaque thats sitting in those tight hard to reach places. With both tools together (especially the scaler) I can almost look as if I came back from the dentist -- minus the flouride and polishing of course.

I have found myself "scaling" for up to an hour and not even realizing it..of course this is on those days I just have my "pamper myself evenings" with absolutely nothing else to do!!

Teeth in the back are a bit harder for me to do and I usually do a pretty good job on all 6-8 front bottom and top teeth...fronts and insides. Over the years I have become accustomed to knowing the "feel" for my gumline and how it is after I get a professional cleaning versus my at home cleaning....I sorta know what to feel for (cautiously) with the scaler and/or pick while Im careful at the gum line not to poke or cause any bleeding. Some people think I'm crazy and say just wait and let the dentist do it. I've told my hygenist I have done it and of course she says "leave that up to her" ...but little does she know I have continued and all I have gotton from her (and the dentist) is... "good good...keep up whatever it is you are doing!!" Oh how I just love that and snicker inside! hehe. So between the proxy brushes she recommended me to do (which I wrote another review on earlier today), the scaler/pick as well as being faithful in taking Vitamin C daily -- (proven to help gum tissues) -- as well as taking Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc., those are just added other benefits to my oral hygeine and they have helped me come alot farther then we all thought possible:-) Yipee!~

Like I said before, this product is one of the first products I have bought and continue to use...however, I would like to add that there is one other product put out by Butler GUM and I just do not see it on this site ...but "if" I can figure out HOW to suggest the product -- be sure to look back for another review from me on the Butler Gum "lighted mirror w/scaler!!! This is a must have (the lighted mirror especially)...talk about being able to truly SEE!! WOW!! Be sure to check back and I hope I can get a review up on that one!





Recommended: Yes