What                        Does 
           the                         Dentist 
          Do? The                     dentist 
        is a doctor                 who is specially 
      trained to care             for teeth. When 
    you visit your dentist      for a checkup, he 
  or she will look at your    teeth and gums to check 
for any problems. The dentist also wants to make sure 
  your teeth are developing   properly as you grow. 
    It's important to           visit your dentist 
      every 6 months              to make sure 
        you're taking               good care 
          of your                     teeth 
           and                         that 
            your                        teeth 
           and                         gums 
          are healthy.                What 
        Happens at                  the Dentist's 
      Office? After               your name is 
    called in the waiting       room, you'll go into 
  an exam room and sit        down in a big comfortable 
chair that is like a huge   recliner. The chair will 
  have a place to rest        your head and lots of 
    room for you to stretch     out your legs. Next 
      to the chair                may be a little 
        sink with                   a cup that 
          you can                     use to 
           rinse                       out 
            your                        mouth 
           as                          your 
          teeth                       are being 
        cleaned.                    During the 
      exam, your teeth            will be cleaned, 
    flossed, and checked        for cavities. Here's 
  what will happen: Cleaning  and Flossing One of the 
first people you'll meet    at the dentist's office is 
  the dental hygienist        (say: hi-gee-nist). A 
    dental hygienist            is a person who knows 
      all about keeping           teeth and gums 
        clean and                   healthy. 
          The dental                  hygienist 
           will                        look 
            inside                      your 
           mouth                       to 
          make                        sure 
        your teeth                  are growing 
      properly and                your gums are 
    healthy. A bright,          overhead light will 
  shine down into your        mouth like a giant flashlight 
so the dental hygienist can get a good look at your teeth 
  and gums. The dental        hygienist will clean 
    and polish your teeth,      using tiny dental 
      tools like a                tooth scraper, 
        mirror, and                 special toothbrush. 
          The tooth                   scraper 
           removes                     plaque 
            (say:                       plak) 
           from                        your 
          teeth.                      Plaque 
        is a thin,                  sticky layer 
      of bacteria (say:           bak-teer-ee-uh) 
    that grows on your          teeth after you eat. 
  Plaque that isn't removed   from your teeth can cause 
decay, or cavities. Next    comes brushing and flossing. 
  The dental hygienist        will brush your teeth 
    with a special toothbrush   and toothpaste. The 
      toothbrush has              a small round 
        tip that                    moves around 
          and around                  to clean 
           your                        teeth. 
            The                         toothpaste 
           will                        taste 
          a little                    like 
        your own                    toothpaste 
      at home, but                it will feel 
    a little grittier           - almost like sand. 
  Then the dental hygienist   will floss your teeth 
and show you the proper way to brush and floss your teeth 
  at home. Checking for       Cavities During your 
    visit, the dental           hygienist will take 
      X-rays, or pictures,        of your teeth. 
        X-rays are                  like super-human 
          vision.                     They 
           show                        any 
            cavities                    hiding