English Learning Content for Beginners

Topic: Visiting the Dentist

Dialogue

Alice: Hey Bob, you look a bit… deflated. What’s up? Did you just get bad news?

Bob: Oh, Alice. Worse! I just came from the dentist. My mouth feels like a battleground.

Alice: The dentist? Oh no! Was it that bad? Did they find a monster cavity?

Bob: A monster, yes! A tiny one, but still. They said I had a cavity. It felt like a tiny construction worker was in my mouth with a jackhammer!

Alice: Haha, a jackhammer? You mean the drill? Was it one of those scary ones that whirrs really loud?

Bob: The drill of doom, yes! And then they poked around with that little metal pick. I swear it tickled my brain cells.

Alice: You’re so dramatic! So, did you get a filling? What kind?

Bob: Yes, a silver one. Now my tooth looks like it has a tiny, shiny hat. I’m a pirate now, arrr!

Alice: Well, at least it’s fixed! Did they give you any anesthesia? Your lip looks a bit funny.

Bob: Oh yeah, my whole left side is still numb. I tried to drink water, and half of it dribbled down my chin like a baby.

Alice: That explains the deflated look! Are you going back for another check-up soon?

Bob: In six months! I’m already dreading it. Maybe I’ll just eat smoothies until then. No more sugar!

Alice: You’ll be fine, Bob! Think of the reward. How about some soft ice cream to soothe that battleground mouth?

Bob: Ice cream! Now you’re talking, Alice. My numb face can definitely handle ice cream. Excellent idea!

Alice: See? Not so bad after all. Just remember to brush your teeth properly!

Bob: Okay, okay, Mom Alice. I will! Thanks for cheering me up.

Current Situation

Visiting the dentist is a common experience for many people. Dentists are medical professionals who specialize in taking care of our teeth and gums. People usually go to the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings, which help prevent problems. Sometimes, they go because they have a toothache, a cavity (a small hole in a tooth caused by decay), or need a filling (material used to fill a cavity). While some people might feel nervous about going to the dentist, it’s very important for keeping our mouths healthy and avoiding bigger problems later on.

Key Phrases

• What’s up? – An informal way to ask “How are you?” or “What’s happening?”
  Example: “Hey Mark, what’s up? You look happy!”
• Just came from… – To say you recently left a place.
  Example: “I just came from the supermarket, it was very crowded.”
• Oh no! – An expression of sympathy or concern.
  Example: “Oh no! Did you lose your keys again?”
• Cavity – A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
  Example: “The dentist told me I have a small cavity in my back tooth.”
• The drill – A tool used by dentists to remove decayed parts of a tooth.
  Example: “I don’t like the sound of the dentist’s drill.”
• Get a filling – To have a cavity filled with a special material.
  Example: “After they cleaned my tooth, I got a filling.”
• Anesthesia – Medication used to cause numbness or loss of sensation, often used to prevent pain during dental procedures.
  Example: “The dentist gave me some anesthesia before starting the work.”
• Numb – Lacking the ability to feel anything, especially after anesthesia.
  Example: “My lip was numb for two hours after the injection.”
• Check-up – A general medical or dental examination.
  Example: “I go for a dental check-up every six months.”
• Dread it – To anticipate something with great fear or uneasiness.
  Example: “I always dread public speaking.”
• Now you’re talking! – An informal expression used to show enthusiasm for an idea or suggestion.
  Example: “Go for a walk? Nah. Get ice cream? Now you’re talking!”
• Brush your teeth – To clean your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  Example: “It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day.”

Grammar Points

1. Past Simple Tense

We use the Past Simple tense to talk about actions that started and finished in the past. It’s very common when telling a story or describing past events.

• Regular Verbs: Add ‘-ed’ to the base form (e.g., visit -> visited, clean -> cleaned, fix -> fixed).
  Example: “I visited the dentist yesterday.”
• Irregular Verbs: These have special forms (e.g., go -> went, come -> came, find -> found, get -> got, say -> said, have -> had).
  Example: “Bob went to the dentist and found a cavity.”
  Example: “They gave him anesthesia.”

2. Present Simple Tense

We use the Present Simple tense for habits, routines, general truths, and facts.

• Habits/Routines:
  Example: “I brush my teeth every morning.”
  Example: “He goes for a check-up twice a year.”
• General Truths/Facts:
  Example: “The drill makes a loud noise.”

3. Expressions of Feeling and Emotion

We often use adjectives to describe how we feel.

• Deflated: Feeling disappointed, sad, or lacking energy.
  Example: “After losing the game, the team felt very deflated.”
• Numb: Unable to feel.
  Example: “My fingers were numb from the cold.”
• Dreading (verb): Anticipating something with fear or worry.
  Example: “I am dreading my exam next week.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Vocabulary Matching

Match the word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.

1. Cavity ____ a. An examination by a doctor or dentist
2. Numb ____ b. A tool used by dentists to remove decayed parts of a tooth
3. Drill ____ c. A hole in a tooth caused by decay
4. Filling ____ d. Lacking the ability to feel anything
5. Check-up ____ e. Material used to repair a hole in a tooth

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the words from the box:

( anesthesia • brush • cavity • numb • dread )

1. I need to ______ my teeth before bed.
2. The dentist found a small ______ in my molar.
3. After the injection, my whole cheek felt ______.
4. Many people ______ going to the dentist.
5. The doctor gave me ______ so I wouldn’t feel pain.

Exercise 3: Answer the Questions about the Dialogue

1. Why did Bob look “deflated” at the beginning of the dialogue?
2. What did the dentist find in Bob’s mouth?
3. What did Bob get to fix his tooth?
4. How often does Bob need to go for a check-up?
5. What did Alice suggest Bob eat as a reward?

Exercise 4: Create Sentences (Past Simple)

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence about Bob’s dentist visit.

1. the / went / Bob / dentist / to
2. a / found / He / cavity
3. filling / got / a / He
4. gave / him / They / anesthesia
5. his / was / face / numb / His

Answers

Exercise 1: Vocabulary Matching – Answers

1. Cavity c
2. Numb d
3. Drill b
4. Filling e
5. Check-up a

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks – Answers

1. I need to brush my teeth before bed.
2. The dentist found a small cavity in my molar.
3. After the injection, my whole cheek felt numb.
4. Many people dread going to the dentist.
5. The doctor gave me anesthesia so I wouldn’t feel pain.

Exercise 3: Answer the Questions about the Dialogue – Answers

1. Bob looked “deflated” because he just came from the dentist.
2. The dentist found a cavity in Bob’s mouth.
3. Bob got a filling to fix his tooth.
4. Bob needs to go for a check-up in six months.
5. Alice suggested Bob eat some soft ice cream as a reward.

Exercise 4: Create Sentences (Past Simple) – Answers

1. Bob went to the dentist.
2. He found a cavity.
3. He got a filling.
4. They gave him anesthesia.
5. His face was numb.