CBC Health Books

A visit to the

Dentist

A Visit to the Dentist

Published in 2018 by Queenex Publishers Ltd

P.O. Box 56049-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.

Phone: 0727 794 498, 0715 808 200

Email: info@queenexpublishers.co.ke

queenexbooks@gmail.com

Web: www.queenexpublishers.co.ke

©Queenex Publishers Ltd, 2018

system, transmit in any form or by any means: graphic,

electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise

any part and/or this entire book without the prior

written permission of Queenex Publishers Limited.

ISBN: 978-9966-075-92-5

Revised in 2022

Sandra was afraid. She was going to see Dr Meno. It was not

her first visit to a dental clinic, but this time she was scared.

She had been to Dr Meno’s clinic several times, but for normal

check-ups. The last time she had visited was five months ago.

Sandra could remember the day very well. On the eve of

her visit, she had been very excited. Visiting the dentist was

always fun. Dr Meno was a charming person and kept her

patients happy throughout with her never-ending jokes.

She would go to have her teeth counted, cleaned and

checked. She would also be advised on how to keep her

teeth and mouth healthy. That is what Dr Meno always did.

After the examination, every patient was given a surprise

gift. Last time Sandra had received a storybook while her

brother, Ken was given a toy. One time she had been given

a tube of toothpaste.

Meeting Dr Meno had always been an exciting moment for

her, but not this time round.

Now she was visiting because her tooth was aching. She

did not know what would happen. The thought of it being

removed almost made her cry.

During her last visit, Dr Meno had advised her to avoid lots of

sweets and sugary things, but she had not. The temptation

to eat ice cream, sweets, cakes, biscuits and cookies was

too much especially when almost everyone else was eating

them. Whenever opportunity to eat sugary things arose at

school, at home or during parties, she just ate and prayed

all would be well.

She wondered whether her tooth was aching because of

eating the things she had been told not to eat. Her brother,

Ken and her friends had been eating sweets and their teeth

were not aching. Why only hers?

It had started as a little painful sensation when she took cold

or hot things. She did not tell anyone, thinking it would stop

on its own. What if Mum ordered her to stop eating sweets,

candy, cake or chewing gum? She had thought about it and

prayed the pain would go away on its own.

It had not. Instead, it had persisted, until one night she

could not bear it any more. She had to tell someone about it.

“Don’t worry, Sandra,” her mother had comforted her.

“Tomorrow we will go and see the dentist. Luckily, it is a

Saturday so you will not miss school. I will call Dr Meno

first thing tomorrow morning and book an appointment.”

The following day they woke up early in the morning.

After breakfast, they started the journey to Dr Meno’s clinic

with her mum and her brother, Ken. Ken was excited to take

his sister to hospital.

At the clinic they were ushered in by a nurse. She had a

nice smile that exposed her white, shining teeth. Maybe

she wanted to show off, Sandra thought and wished she

had such teeth.

The nurse took her details and ushered them into a waiting

area. There were many patients waiting to see the dentist,

both children and adults.

Ken saw one boy who had wires all over his teeth and told

his mum about it.

“Those are called braces,” said Mum.

“Can you buy me braces, Mum? I like them,” Ken said.

“Braces are used to align and strengthen teeth. Yours are

fine. You do not need braces,” Mum replied.

Ken looked around and saw a nice toy lying at the corner

of the waiting room.

“Can I play with that toy over there, Mum?” he asked.

“Yes, but seek permission from the nurse. You can play with

any toy you see in this room provided you don’t spoil or

carry it home.”

Ken remembered the last time he embarrassed his mother

by hiding a toy in her bag. They had gone to eat out at a

hotel with family friends. He and other children had gone

to play in a room that had several toys. He liked a small

one and decided to hide it in his mother’s bag so that he

could show his friends at school. But as they were getting

out of the door of the restaurant, the alarm had rung out.

The security man told his mother that she had something

that belonged to the hotel in her bag. When she opened the

bag she had found a toy hidden inside.

Ken had started crying but the security man had forgiven

him.

“Next time you feel you want something ask someone for

it,” he had said kindly.

“Toys placed in public places are for all people and no one

should take them home,” his mother had added. “Taking

other people’s things without their permission is stealing

and if caught one can be taken to jail or punished severely.

It is also a sin before God.”

From that day, Ken always asked for permission when he

wanted something that did not belong to him.

Sandra did not feel like playing. Although the tooth was not

aching, she was anxious and afraid of meeting the dentist.

She did not know whether she would be given an injection

or have the tooth removed. She feared injections. She feared

to have her tooth removed even more.

She trembled at the thought of blood gushing out of her

mouth. Suppose the tooth was removed and another one

did not grow? Her friends would laugh at her. She may not

be able to chew food well, she thought as she sat down

with her arms folded.

Another thought came to her mind and made her even

more nervous. Her teacher had told them that teeth were

important speech organs. Some teeth, especially the front

ones, helped people to speak and pronounce some words

well.

She remembered a certain grandmother in the neighbourhood

who did not have teeth. When she spoke people struggled

to understand her. She pronounced some words funnily,

saying ‘thith’ instead of ‘this’ and ‘thooth’ instead of ‘tooth’.

The thought of speaking like her, should she lose her tooth,

made Sandra very sad.

Her mother sat quietly on a chair reading a flyer she had

picked from the reception. It was about how to have strong

teeth and a healthy mouth. She turned to Sandra and said,

“Let’s read this together.”

As they were reading, Sandra’s name was called out. Her

mother immediately folded the yer and put it in her bag.

They rose to go and see the dentist, Dr Meno. Ken was at

the far end playing with other boys.

Strong teeth and a healthy mouth

Get a dental checkup for your child.

Brush your child’s teeth twice

daily with a pea-size amount

of fluoride toothpaste.

Ask about fluoride varnish

treatments to protect your

child’s teeth from cavities.

“Let him continue playing,” Mum said when Sandra tried

to call Ken.

The dentist’s office was quite spacious. It had charts of

teeth and the human mouth on the walls. It also had a

chart showing the steps to follow when brushing teeth,

among other things.

At the centre of the office was a big machine and several

other items that made Sandra shake a bit. It was not the

first time to see them, but today she was really afraid the

doctor might use them on her.

Her mother sat on an empty chair opposite Dr Meno.

Sandra sat next to her while a nurse stood next to the big

machine.

“Welcome, Sandra,” said Dr Meno in her usual playful tone.

“Today you are not jovial. What is the matter, my girl?

Smile at me so that I can see your nice teeth. How is your

brother? Where did you leave him today?”

Sandra tried to smile, but could not.

“He is playing with toys in the waiting room,” she said,

feeling her heart beat faster.

“What can I do for you? How is your mouth today?” Dr

Meno asked.

“I was feeling pain but now I have recovered. I am fine,”

Sandra replied. Both the doctor and her mother smiled at

the answer.

“That is good, Sandra,” Dr Meno said. “I am happy you

have recovered. But then may I know what the problem

was?”

“I felt pain when I took cold or hot things but now I am

fine. I took hot tea this morning and I did not feel pain.”

“That is good. Now I will have a look at the tooth that had

a problem. Kindly take a seat,” the doctor said, pointing at

the big dental chair across.

Sandra was assisted by a nurse to climb onto the high,

reclining seat. The nurse adjusted it to a sleeping position.

She pressed somewhere and Sandra’s head was raised

gradually until she was in the right position. She then

pressed a switch and bright, dazzling light beamed above

Sandra. She immediately closed her eyes.

“I will insert a tube inside your mouth to suck saliva,”

Dr Meno explained. “It is painless. I will check your teeth

gently. If you feel pain or want to say or ask anything you

will lift your hand and I will stop at once. Is that clear?”

“Yes, doctor,” Sandra replied.

“That’s good. Now I am ready to start. Open your mouth

wide, please,” Dr Meno said. She inserted a tube inside

Sandra’s mouth and started checking her teeth.

Sandra felt the dentist hit some of her teeth with something,

but it was not painful. She then poured some cold liquid

on them and Sandra felt some sensation in the mouth. She

pressed one tooth and Sandra felt a slight pain. She tried

to raise her hand.

“This is the one,” she heard Dr Meno say. The nurse added

something but Sandra could not quite get what she said.

“Mama Sandra, can you please get out briefly so that we

can take an X-ray of the tooth?” the nurse requested.

After a few minutes the doctor told the nurse to call

Sandra’s mother back into the room.

“You can now sit down and rinse your mouth,” Dr Meno

told Sandra as her mother was getting in. They both sat

and waited for the doctor to tell them what to do next.

Dr Meno pulled some film from a big machine. It was an

X-ray of Sandra’s teeth.

“There is nothing to worry about,” she explained, holding

the film against the light. “It was just a small cavity that

was developing over here,” she added, pointing at a black

spot on the picture. “We will do a bit of cleaning then we

fill it. It is a short procedure that will take about fifteen

minutes. And it is painless.”

Sandra sighed with joy. She was glad her tooth would not

be removed. She was happy that the filling procedure would

not be painful.

“Do you have any question?” Dr Meno asked kindly, looking

Sandra in the face.

“Yes, doctor. What is a cavity?” Sandra asked.

“A cavity is simply a hole that develops in a tooth and grows

bigger and deeper over time. It is caused by the action of

acids on the enamel surface. Enamel is the outer surface

of our teeth that is smooth and usually white in colour.

Normally a plaque is formed on the teeth after we drink

or eat food. The plaque contains bacteria which, if not

removed regularly through brushing and ossing, causes

tooth decay or cavities.”

“What is plaque?” Sandra asked.

“It is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth. It

contains millions of bacteria. Have you ever forgotten to

brush your teeth after meals at night? How was your mouth

like in the morning?”

Sandra smiled. Yes, she had once forgotten to brush her

teeth after supper. She had not liked the smell coming out

of her mouth in the morning.

“It tastes bad, smells bad and your teeth feel sticky,” Dr

Meno continued. “This is what we call plaque. Plaque forms

all the time, especially at night when there is less activity

in the mouth. It is a sticky thin film that is sometimes hard

to notice. It smells depending on the type of food eaten. It

contains millions of bad bacteria that erode or eat up the

enamel of your teeth and cause cavities.”

“How can I avoid plaque from forming on my teeth?”

Sandra asked.

“You cannot prevent plaque from forming,” Dr Meno replied.

“It builds naturally, all the time. You can only remove it by

brushing. That is why you should brush your teeth at least

twice a day, in the morning and at night, before going to

bed. Drinking and eating healthy foods is also important for

your dental health. Eating a balanced diet is good for your

overall wellness. You must eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and

dinner to keep both your body and teeth in good health.”

“I read in another book that some foods, such as French

fries, noodles, sausages, burgers and ice cream are not good

for our health,” Sandra said. “The book claimed they make

one obese and sick.”

“That’s right, Sandra. Do you eat them?”

Sandra looked down. She did not want to say yes or no. She

avoided looking at her mother because she knew how Sandra

liked pizza, ice cream and cheese burger with cold soda.

“You should avoid junk food as much as you can for your

dental health,” Dr Meno continued. “If you need a snack,

choose healthy foods like fruit, milk, porridge, cereals, nuts,

low-fat yoghurt and home-made juices.”

“And why are they called junk food?”

“That’s a good question, Sandra,” the doctor replied. “They

are called junk because they have little or no nutritional

value. They consist of more sugar, fat and salt than your

body needs. They have very little or no fiber, proteins,

vitamins and minerals which are good for your health.

They are therefore better avoided. In addition, you should

avoid drinking too much sugary drinks like soda, juices

that have added sugar or sweeteners, sports drinks, sugar-

sweetened teas and coffees, as well as sugar-sweetened

waters and energy drinks. Avoid sweets and candies. If

you have some sweets eat them with your meals and brush

your teeth afterwards.”

“Doctor, I always brush my teeth twice a day,” Sandra

said. “Why then did my tooth develop a cavity? My brother

sometimes forgets to brush his teeth but he does not have

any cavities. Why me?”

“Our teeth are different, Sandra,” the doctor replied.

“Sometimes it takes longer before the tooth decays. I will

check on your brother later, but for now both of you should

learn how to prevent tooth decay. He may develop a cavity

too if he continues being forgetful about dental hygiene.

You need to do more than just brushing and flossing your

teeth. You need to brush and clean your tongue, use the

right toothbrush and tooth paste, and brush the right way.”

She then moved to the pictures of teeth on the wall.

“First, you need the right toothbrush for your age,” she

said, pointing at a picture of a brush. “Your toothbrush

should fit comfortably in your mouth and be easy to hold

and use. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid hurting

your gum.”

She pointed at a second diagram. It had a holder that had

several toothbrushes in it.

“Second, rinse your toothbrush well after brushing,” he

continued. “Store it in an upright position in an open and

airy place. Good air flow around the bristles keeps your

toothbrush dry and prevents micro-organisms and bacteria

from growing. Bacteria thrive in a moist environment.”

“What should one do if a toothbrush gets dirty or colored

at the base?” Sandra asked.

“That’s a good question, Sandra,” Dr Meno replied. “If

your toothbrush shows dirt at the bottom of the bristles,

it means you don’t clean it well, or that it is old and needs

to be replaced. You should replace your toothbrush every

three to four months, or sooner. If bristles are frayed,

coloured or worn out, replace immediately.”

Sandra looked at her mother, who looked back at her

with a smile. She knew what that meant. Her brother’s

toothbrush and hers needed to be replaced. They were

getting to five months old.

“Let’s go to the third point, Sandra,” she heard Dr Meno

say, and she paid immediate attention. “Brush your teeth

well to ensure bacteria do not accumulate in the mouth

and cause tooth decay. Brush your tongue as well. Some

food particles stick to your tongue and if not cleaned help

bacteria to accumulate. It is also the cause of bad breath.”

“Sometimes I use mouthwash to avoid bad breath,” Sandra

said.

“That is good,” the doctor said, nodding. “Mouth wash is

good but should not be used as a substitute for brushing. I

also need to add that the health of your teeth and mouth

is mostly determined by what you drink. Soft drinks and

sugary juices cause tooth decay. Drinking less soda and

more water, milk and fresh juices can help protect your

teeth.”

“What if I brush immediately after drinking them?” asked

Sandra.

“Well,” said the doctor, laughing, “that helps a bit but

again remember such drinks are not good for your health

as well.”

“Oh yes, I remember,” said Sandra.

“Now, one last point,” the doctor went on. “Do not use

your teeth to open, tear or break anything. Some people

use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a

plastic package or even unscrew bottle tops. This is bad

and very dangerous to your teeth. Use your teeth only

for biting and chewing food. They are not bottle openers,

pliers, hooks, scissors or any other tool. Using your teeth

as a tool is a threat to dental health and can damage your

gums or enamel and cause your teeth to crack.”

“Thanks, Dr Meno for the advice,” Sandra said. She had

learnt a lot. “I will share what I have learned with my

friends.”

“Welcome, Sandra. Before you leave, here are some posters

that I recommend you hang on your bedroom wall. They

will remind you of key tips to keep your teeth healthy.”

Dr Meno walked to her desk, opened a drawer and pulled

out two posters.

Brush your teeth correctly

Place toothbrush at a

45-degree angle to the

gums.

Brush the outer surfaces,

the inner surfaces and the

chewing surfaces of teeth.

Use the tip of the brush to

clean the inside surfaces

of the front teeth, using

a gentle up-and-down

stroke.

Brush your tongue to

remove bacteria and

freshen breath.

Dental Health

1 2

5 6

Get your teeth checked

twice yearly.

Brush your teeth each

morning.

Brush your teeth each

night before going to

bed.

Do not forget to floss

your teeth.

Brush your teeth for 2 -

3 minutes.

Remember to use

toothpaste.

“Thanks, doctor,” Sandra said with a broad smile as she

took the posters. “Please give me another one for my

brother and one more for my dad. If you don’t mind I can

pick two more for my best friends.”

“No problem,” Dr Meno said, smiling too. “I will give you

several of them. You can share some with your friends at

school. I will also give you this other one that shows the

correct procedure for brushing teeth.”

Sandra was happy to receive the posters. They would

remind her of what she needed to do daily for healthy

teeth. She would be able to avoid cavities and the fear of

her teeth being pulled out. She thanked Dr Meno again.

Dr Meno patted her on the shoulder as she escorted her

and her mother to the door.

“Bye, Sandra,” she said with a smile. “Be a good teacher

to the others. They all need their teeth and mouths to be

healthy.”

Sandra and Ken were now seated at the dinner table

with their father and mother. They had arrived from the

hospital in the afternoon. Sandra had talked to children

in the neighbourhood about what Dr Meno had taught

her. Ken had also listened attentively and promised not to

forget to brush his teeth.

Now it was time for dinner. Mum had prepared rice, minced

meat and some traditional vegetables. It was very tasty.

“Thanks Mum for preparing such a tasty meal,” said Sandra.

“Thanks Mum,” Ken added. He always followed the good

things his elder sister said.

“How come no one is thanking me for bringing the minced

meat?” Dad asked with a smile.

“Thanks Dad,” Ken and Sandra said in chorus. Everyone

burst out laughing.

It was always joyous for the family to share dinner. Their

father was sometimes too busy to join them. After meals they

would eat some fruit salad. Sandra and Ken were expected to

brush their teeth before watching television.

Sandra was happy her tooth was no longer sensitive. Mum

was also happy that her girl was now able to eat well. She

prepared soft food just in case Sandra’s tooth would be

sensitive after filling. Dr Meno had done a good job. The

filling had been so good that she was not even feeling it.

“From today we will be eating healthy. We must say no to

junk food,” father said.

“We will only eat good things during birthday parties or

when we go out to eat,” said Ken.

“What do you mean by good things?” Mum asked. “You

mean chips, sausages, pizza and hot dogs? That is junk! If

we choose to eat healthy, we must do it at all times. We

should choose healthy and tasty food even when we go out

or during parties.”

“That is not fair Mum,” Ken protested. “How can we eat

githeri, yams or beans in a hotel? How can we have a party

without cake, ice cream and sodas?”

“Well,” Dad put in. “Maybe we can eat a little of what you

prefer. Nothing is really bad when taken in moderation.

However, remember that we can choose to have healthy

juices, healthy cakes and healthy desserts. Not that sugary

and fatty stuff all the time.”

“I doubt if there are healthy sodas and cookies,” Sandra said.

“Well, we can substitute sodas for juices,” Dad said. “But

as I have said, there is little harm in occasionally taking a

soda, ice cream, French fries or a burger. We eat everything

in moderation, then brush our teeth soon after.”

“Sandra, you are talking too much and not eating your

food,” Mum said. “Everyone except you is about to finish

theirs. Finish your food fast so that you can brush your teeth.

Today we have to sleep early. I remember Dr Meno saying

that any food particles left in the mouth attract bacteria

and cause tooth decay even if the food is healthy.”

“Mum, I forgot to ask Dr Meno why some people have

discoloured teeth. Are they sick?” Sandra asked.

“I said eat first then I will answer your questions,” said

Mum firmly.

Sandra took a mouthful of food and looked at Mum as if to

say, ‘I have done it’.

“Being discoloured does not necessarily mean a person’s

teeth are sick or decayed,” Mum said after she was satisfied

Sandra had taken enough. “The most common cause of tooth

discolouration is a chemical called fluoride found in either

environmental sources, such as water, or from excessive use

of fluoride in toothpaste, food supplements or mouthwash.

Flouride is good for healthy teeth but when taken in excess

it causes discolouration. Other causes include taking too

much coffee, tea, some soft drinks, wines, certain fruits

and vegetables, as well as smoking or chewing tobacco.”

“Poor brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial

mouthwash to remove plaque and stain-producing substances

like coffee and tobacco can also cause tooth discolouration,”

Dad added. “There are other causes, such as diseases that

affect the enamel and some types of drugs. What one

inherited from parents, as well as age, may also contribute

to discoloured teeth.”

“I know of a boy in my class who has discoloured teeth, and

he is a very good singer,” said Ken. “He is called Norman.”

“That is good,” Dad said as he reached for a dish to help

himself to a little more food. “Norman is not sick. May be

he comes from a place where water has excess flouride.”

Facts about dental health

Not taking care of your teeth and mouth in general can

lead to serious problems ranging from bad breath, gum

disease, cavities, and sensitivity to tooth loss.

Your lifestyle affects your dental health. Regular exercise

and a healthy diet decreases the chances of developing

gum disease while inactivity, junk and sugary foods and

liquids lead to dental cavities.

3. Plaque, the sticky film of bacteria constantly forming

at the gum line and on the surfaces of your teeth, forms

all the time and must be removed by proper brushing

and flossing.

4. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least

twice a day for two to three minutes using toothpaste.

5. Using mouth wash after brushing your teeth can go a

long way in improving your dental health but is not a

substitute for brushing.

6. It is recommended to have thorough medical checkups

and have professional teeth cleaning by a dentist once

every six months.

7. It is important to choose the right toothbrush that fits

in your mouth comfortably. Use one with soft bristles

to avoid hurting your gum.

For effective brushing place your toothbrush at a

45-degree angle toward your gum line and gently move

the bristles back and forth in short strokes. Brush the

outer, inner and biting surfaces of all your teeth as well

as the tongue.

9. Accumulation of plaque under and along the gum line

leads to various infections that can harm the bone

which secures the teeth in place as well as the gums.

For instance, it can lead to periodontal disease which

makes the bone deteriorate and may result in tooth loss.

10.

Poor oral health impacts negatively on a person’s social

life. For example unpleasant breath is caused by tiny

food particles that are trapped between the teeth and

which accumulate bacteria and give off chemicals like

hydrogen sulfide with a foul smell akin to that of rotten

eggs.

New Words

anxious eager to do something

balanced diet a combination of the correct types

and amounts of food

braces a set of wires attached to a person’s

teeth to move them gradually in

order to straighten them

enamel a thin outer covering of the tooth

oss to clean between your teeth using

dental floss

yer a small piece of paper advertising a

product or event

micro-organism a living thing which on its own is too

small to be seen without a

microscope

mouthwash a liquid used for keeping the

mouth clean and smelling fresh

obese extremely fat in a way that is

dangerous for health

periodontal relating to or affecting the

structures surrounding and

supporting the teeth

thrive to grow or develop

Questions

1. Why was Sandra afraid of going to see the dentist?

2. Explain the causes of tooth decay.

3. Why was Sandra’s tooth aching?

4. Write a list of foods that are not good for your teeth.

How can poor oral health impact negatively on a person’s

social life? Explain.

Why do you think your lifestyle affects your dental

health?

7. Explain the steps of effective brushing of your teeth.

8. Explain why it is important to wash your mouth after

brushing your teeth.

9. How many times do you brush your teeth daily? Why

do you do so?

10.

Why do you think it is recommended to have thorough

medical checkups and have professional teeth cleaning

by a dentist once every six months?