A dental mirror, or dentist's mirror, is a dental instrument. It is a small mirror that fits into a person's mouth and is attached to a long handle. A dental mirror is one of the most important pieces of dental equipment found in a dental specialist's examination room, although this device can also be used in other professional fields.

　　The purpose of the dental mirror: to obtain indirect vision; traction; indirect lighting; perspective.

　　Obtaining indirect vision: Obtaining indirect vision refers to using a dental mirror to observe the tooth surface or intraoral structure that cannot be seen directly. The surgeon can see the dental instruments inside the mouth mirror.

　　Pulling: Pulling refers to pulling the patient's cheeks, mucous membranes, or tongue using the mouth lens so that the doctor can see the tooth surface covered by these soft tissues.

　　Indirect lighting: Indirect lighting refers to the use of a mouth mirror to reflect light onto the surface of the teeth in the dark areas of the mouth

　　Transillumination: Transillumination refers to the technique of reflecting light through the front teeth with a mouth mirror.

　　Tips for using dental mirrors: Use one of the following techniques to prevent fogging of the reflective surface. Warm the reflective surface of the mouth mirror with the patient's buccal mucosa. Ask the patient to breathe through the nose. Wipe reflective surfaces with a special anti-fog solution. Wipe reflective surfaces with moistened sterile gauze. Use a high-speed handpiece or air gun to blast reflective surfaces.

　　Precautions in the use of dental mirrors: Avoid using the mirror to hit the patient's teeth. Do not let the edge of the mouthpiece head press against the patient's gum tissue. The doctor's index finger and thumb can also be used for pulling. When pulling the patient's lips, using fingers to pull will make the patient feel more comfortable than using a mouth mirror.