As family dentists, what do we want our patients to know? How much time have you got? For starters, X-rays won’t harm you. They are perfectly safe. You actually get exposed to more radiation just going outside. And yes, we can smell your last meal —please hold off on the garlic next time. And while we always ask you if you’ve been brushing or flossing, the truth is we already know just by looking at your mouth. If you haven’t been keeping up with your dental health, it’s pretty obvious. And can we be honest for a minute? Your dream smile may not be actually possible —at least without paying a fortune. We can’t all have the smiles of movie stars, though it’s always a good idea to improve our oral health. And if you have babies or young children, keep in mind that bottles can seriously damage a child’s teeth. Don’t let a child go to bed with a bottle. It can cause serious tooth decay.