21

"Open your mouth, Michael."

"Nmm umm."

"Do you want me to bring your mother in here, Michael?"

"Nmm umm."

"Then open your mouth."

"Nmm umm."

"All I want to do is count your teeth."

"Mm-mmm?"

"Yes."

"Mmm..."

"See? All I have is a little mirror on a stick."

"Mmm.... Nmm umm."

"Michael."

"NMM UMM!"

"Michael, do you know what happens if you don't let your dentist count your teeth every six months?"

"Nmm."

"Do you know anything about sharks?"

"Umm hmm."

"You know they have multiple rows of teeth, and when one falls out, they all shift around and the next row replaces it, on and on and on. A shark may have up to three thousand teeth at one time. Did you know that?"

"Nmm umm."

"Human children are the same. You will grow more and more teeth. Rows and rows of them until they fill your mouth. You won't be able to close your jaw any more. They're sharp, too. Eventually, you'll have so many sharp, pointy teeth, that you'll chew yourself to death."

"!!!"

"Why do you think there are special dentists just for children? We're here to make sure your baby shark teeth don't grow and you don't chew yourselves to bloody pieces. I file them down and I take out the extras until all my patients have regular sets of adult teeth."

"!?!"

"I think I can see the lumps of your next row starting to form on your lower left."
"?!?"

"Unless you want to die, Michael, I suggest you open your mouth. Right. NOW."

"Aaaaahhhhh...."