When was the last time you went to the dentist? Is it time for another visit?  Here is some information about dentistry and important dentist related vocabulary you might need if you plan to visit a dentist in the English speaking world.

First of all, dentistry is the branch of medicine that focuses on the mouth.  Doctors who practice dentistry are called dentists and in the United States they often work with assistants called: dental hygienists, dental technicians and dental assistants.  These assistants work somewhat like a nurse does for a physician.  Dental hygienists and dental assistants do much of the routine dental cleanings, maintenance, and X-rays.  Dentists are more likely to talk to patients about important dental hygiene, fix broken or chipped teeth, fill cavities, and perform oral surgery.

Dental visit vocabulary:
a cavity – a decayed part of a tooth; cavities are filled by the dentist using a drill
enamel – the clear shinny outer surface of teeth
a filling – covering a tooth or filling a hole in a tooth with a protective material, i.e. gold, silver, or ceramic
to floss – to clean between one’s teeth with a thin thread
gums – the firm pink area of flesh around teeth and in the mouth
a molar – a tooth in the back of the mouth used for grinding/chewing
mouthwash – a liquid used for rinsing the mouth
a smile – an expression of happiness made with the corners of the mouth turned up (Hopefully you will be smiling when you leave the dentist!)
tooth/teeth – the hard, bony enamel-coated structures in the jaws that is used for biting and chewing
the tooth fairy – a fairy who is believed to leave a gift under a child’s pillow in exchange for the child’s baby tooth once they have fallen out
a toothbrush – a small brush with a long handle used for cleaning teeth
toothpaste – a thick moist jell used on a toothbrush for cleaning the teeth
whitening – bleaching teeth to make them look whiter

In the United States it is common for people who have dental insurance usually go to the dentist 1-2 times a year.  Many people think it is especially important for young children to go to the dentist this often so they don’t get cavities.  Hopefully next time you go to the dentist you now have some new English vocabulary you can share with the doctor.

Answer to yesterday’s parts of speech exercise:
All of the words presented yesterday were nouns except: pro boon which was an adjective and incognito which was used as an adverb.