Although we might not always realize it, vacuum plays a role in countless aspects of our everyday lives. In this series, we take a closer look at just how much we rely on vacuum, from the way we breathe to our bicycle helmets to life-saving medical procedures.
Most people are familiar with that gurgley thing that the dentist hangs from your mouth when you are having your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled. In these simple dental procedures, the dentist is using a vacuum pump to produce the suction that supports the dental treatment. Contrary to the message of many dentist jokes – and even a Broadway musical – the dentist’s first concern is for your comfort.
“Without vacuum, many life-saving medical procedures would be impossible.”
Saliva that accumulates in your mouth tends to cause a gag reflex if not removed. In addition, the dentist wants to remove any fragments that may occur while working on your teeth so you don’t swallow them, and to ensure that anesthetic does not accumulate and cause numbness away from the area of interest. Of course, the aspiration of excess saliva is also important for the dentist to see well enough to do his or her job.
For doctors performing major surgeries, vacuum aspiration is also a critical element of the procedure. Blood and other body fluids have to be aspirated away from the incision site so surgeons can see their work area. And, because general anesthetics make it impossible to swallow, suction is also used to manage saliva as in dental procedures while patients are sedated during surgery.
At VACUUBRAND®, we are experts in vacuum for science. To learn more about our laboratory and OEM vacuum pumps, please visit our website. If you’d like details about our modular, energy-saving alternative to central vacuum systems for labs, our technology microsite offers an overview. Or simply contact us today about your lab vacuum needs.