going to the dentist.

b is for

books, blocks and balloons!

Bitesize is full of fun stuff. We have books, blocks and other toys, games and activities. We will also give you a balloon when you visit us, because balloons make everyone happy. It is like a tooth party here.

After you check in, you get to hang out, play and meet nice people who care about your smile. Of course, no party is complete without favors, so you will not leave empty handed.

When it is your turn, one of our dental hygienists will call your name. A dental hygienist is a person who knows all about teeth and gums. They will take you back to a special room where the smile magic happens. There is a big, comfy chair that you can stretch out in and lots of gadgets that we use, like a huge overhead flashlight, a tiny little mirror, a sugar bug scraper and your own personal sink.

i is for

images of your teeth.

Sometimes we take images, which is a fancy way of saying pictures, of your mouth. These images are called x-rays. The x-ray machine is amazing and must have eaten a ton of carrots, because it has superhero vision. It can see right through your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy, and show us if you have any cavities hiding between or inside your teeth.

Cavities are when sugar and food stick to your teeth and form sugar bugs. The sugar bugs can create holes and we do not like that. An x-ray lets us know right away if this is happening, so we can stop it.

Do not worry. Having an x-ray taken does not feel like anything. The hygienist will put a blanket on you, which is basically a cape that goes on in the front, and snap the pics. We will even show you the x-rays when we are done.

t is for

toothbrush.

Another thing that dental hygienists do is use their fantastical skills to brush and floss your teeth. A big part of having a great smile is getting rid of the sugar bugs with your toothbrush and dental floss, so they do not harden, which is when Tartar the Terrible makes his appearance. Tartar can then lead to cavities and sore gums.

Even though we know you brush twice a day on your own, the only way to get rid of Tartar the Terrible is with the super toothbrush at your dentist's office. So every six months you can relax in our big chair and your Bitesize hygienist will use our special toothbrush and a bit of tasty toothpaste to get your teeth so squeaky clean you will not believe it.

e is for

exam.

A dentist is a doctor who takes care of your teeth and gums. They go to school for a really long time so they can learn how to give kids healthy, sparkling smiles. When your teeth are all clean, your Bitesize dentist will come in and look in your mouth. They will make sure your teeth are growing big and strong and they will count them, which is always fun, because then you can find out how close you are to a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

The dentists at Bitesize are really nice. If you are feeling scared, you can bring along a friend like your favorite stuffed animal or toy. Plus mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or the grown-up you are with can come in the room with you too. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand something, because that is what your dentist is there for. By the time you are finished, you and your dentist will be buddies.

s is for

super sugar bug fighters. and sunglasses.

Sometimes, to give your teeth a little extra help in keeping cavities away, your Bitesize dentist will recommend a quick treatment like dental sealants. Sealants are something that we paint on the back teeth, usually starting when you are in kindergarten or first grade. They are like a force field that protects your teeth and keeps little bits of food and germs from sticking in the nooks and crannies.

Getting sealants does not hurt and it only takes a few minutes. They are really powerful and last for a long time, which is why we love them.

And for another S word, we almost forgot: you will also get cool sunglasses to wear, whether we are giving you sealants or not. They will protect your eyes, and we just think sunglasses are awesome and figured you might like them too.

i is for

ideas.

When your dentist is done looking at your teeth, they will give you all sorts of good ideas for how to take care of your smile at home. You will get a quick lesson on why it is important to brush and floss, and some pointers on how to do it right, so you can be the best brusher and flosser on your block.

If brushing and flossing are not your favorite, they can also let you in on secrets for making it way more fun.

z is for

zebras!

Well, we do not have any actual zebras here, but you never know what kind of prizes you will get to choose from, or what sorts of activities or books we will have in our office. They could involve zebras.

And is there anything better that starts with a Z than striped animals? If you know of something, tell us when you come visit.

e is for

excitement!

This is the last part and it is the best part. When everything is finished, you get to pick a prize, you get a goody bag to take home, and you get a balloon on the way out of the door.

Then we will see you again in about six months, which is roughly two Halloweens away if you are counting in candy. By then you will know exactly where everything is, you will know which monster on the wall is your favorite, and your dentist will already be your buddy. That is the whole thing. Told you it was fun.