A hound's tooth.

It never fails to amaze me how children can look through you, size you up, and make judgments about you no matter what they have heard about dentistry from parents, their peers, or by way of street talk.

Several years ago, I had a cute little seven-year-old who came in for her first visit to the dentist. The hygienist cleaned her teeth, fluoridated them, and instructed this youngster on the importance of good homecare. When the hygiene procedures were completed, I entered the operatory and performed a routine examination of the child's mouth. I, too, stressed the importance of good homecare. The girl proceeded to tell me that not only did she brush her own teeth regularly, she also brushed her dog's teeth every single day.

I laughed and told her I hoped she didn't use her toothbrush to clean the dog's teeth. She looked at me, placed her hands on her hips, and said she would never use her toothbrush - she used her sister's brush instead. After laughing so hard that tears came to my eyes, In instructed the hygienist to give this little girl three toothbrushes; one for herself, one for her sister, and one for her dog. I am certain that good homecare now exists throughout that household.