The Capture of Clementine - Jane Wright, DDS MS

Copyright © 2022, 2023 by Jane Wright. All rights reserved.

Artist: Alice Gleeson Published in the United States by: Coconut Avenue Publishing, Inc. - coconutavenue.com

Coconut Avenue ® The Creative Avenue for Best Selling Authors ® No part of this book may be produced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic or video recording; and it may not be used in any retrieval system, currently known or yet to be developed, transmitted, or otherwise copied for public or private use, other than under the “Fair Use” provisions of U.S. copyright law as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9869081-3-7. Suggested retail price: $19.95 USD. 2nd Edition, May 1, 2023 - Printed in the United States of America.

Coconut Avenue ®, The Creative Avenue For Best Selling Authors ® and the Coconut Avenue graphic ® are all registered U.S. Trademarks of Coconut Avenue Publishing, Inc. Unauthorized use of any of the trademarks is prohibited.

Book Layout and Internal Design Copyright © 2022, 2023 by Coconut Avenue Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

2

2nd Edition

4

To my 5 magical children.

5

6

Flop. A furry zebra landed on Iris's sleepy face.

Her identical twin sister, Imogene had tossed the toy zebra over her top bunk, down onto Iris to keep her awake.

The Tooth Fairy was coming!

7

Sometimes the twins had trouble falling asleep.

They were the youngest in their family of five children and were always put to bed first, even if they were not yet tired.

Imogene and Iris could often hear their older siblings, Makenzie, Tom, and Oliver downstairs playing the piano or laughing while the twins were supposed to be falling asleep upstairs.

It just wasn’t fair!

8

On this particular night, it was even harder for Imogene to fall asleep. Her older brother, Tom had just lost his top right baby tooth.

Tom’s tooth had been loose for days, flip-flapping in the breeze when he talked.

At dinner that evening, Tom sneezed, and his tooth flew across the table into a bowl of broccoli!

The family erupted into laughter as Tom recovered his tooth and began planning for the Tooth Fairy’s arrival.

9

Dad helped him write a letter. Mom gave him a small, blue tooth-box and envelope.

Tom carefully placed it all next to his pillow. Not too close to the edge, but just close enough where the Tooth Fairy could reach it without getting smushed.

Tom was a very thoughtful boy.

10

Knowing that the Tooth Fairy would be in their house that night, Imogene was fighting her heavy eyes and long blinks, determined to keep Iris awake with her.

She imagined the Tooth Fairy flying through a window and into Tom’s room.

The Tooth Fairy would dive under Tom’s pillow, open the tooth-box, and admire the white enamel glistening in the moonlight.

Then she would read the letter, “Hi Tooth Fairy,” he had said. “This tooth traveled across the dinner table into a bowl of broccoli. Do I get extra credit for finding it? Your friend, Tom.”

11

Imogene was starting to get really tired when suddenly, “WHOMP.” Back came the Zebra.

“Did you throw Zeebzie at me?

Why aren’t you sleeping?” Iris whispered as she sat up in bed.

“I’m listening for the Tooth Fairy,” laughed Imogene, tossing Zebra back to Iris.

“Girls!” Mom peeked her head into their room. “It’s a school night. Go to sleep.”

12

Imogene relaxed back into bed, but the minutes felt like hours.

She was trying her best to do as her mother asked when she heard a rustling noise.

She opened her eyes and saw a flash of yellow light.

“Iris!” she whispered. “Did you see that?”

Quick as a wink, Imogene popped her head up, reached out her hand and grabbed the glowing image fluttering past her bed.

“Gotcha!”

Iris scrambled up the bunk bed ladder and climbed into bed with Imogene. “What is it?”

“I think we caught the Tooth Fairy!” Imogene squealed.

13

“Oh fooey,” squeaked a tiny voice.

“I must have entered through the wrong window. Let me go! I’m on a very tight schedule. I only have four minutes and thirty-six seconds to get Tom’s tooth and clear the scene! Let me go, let me go!”

But Imogene did not let go.

This little creature was mesmerizing.

She wore a silver backpack over a paleyellow sparkling dress. On her tiny wrist was a delicate gold watch; her dark hair was in a high bun, and she had tiny goggles covering her eyes. Her little wings were flapping so vigorously that they fanned a faint smell of spearmint towards Imogene.

She put her face very close to the Tooth Fairy’s face and said, “WOW.”

14

“Leaping Ladybugs you have stinky breath!” The Tooth Fairy said as she tried to wiggle away.

“Looks like someone forgot to brush her teeth before bed.”

“Weellll, it hurts when I brush my teeth, so I don’t like to do it.”

Imogene replied. Iris nodded.

Their parents sent them upstairs every night to brush their teeth but didn’t always check to see if the kids did it.

Parents get tired after a long day.

“If you don’t brush your teeth,” gasped the Tooth Fairy, “The sugar bugs will eat them!”

“What?” Imogene exclaimed, “Sugar bugs?”

Her grip on the Tooth Fairy was tightening.

15

“Yes, tiny bacteria live in your mouth, and they eat the food that you leave on your teeth. But they don’t just eat the snacks you leave behind; they also eat your teeth,” the Tooth Fairy cautioned.

Her bright eyes met Imogene’s. “Princess, can you please lighten your grip? The molar in this backpack from Henry Helgerson is poking my ribs!”

"Oh, sorry.”

Imogene giggled, “I’m not a princess, I’m Imogene.

Why don’t you sit down?”

Imogene gently placed the Tooth Fairy on the railing of her bunk bed.

16

“What is your name, Tooth Fairy?”

The Tooth Fairy lifted her goggles.

“I’m Clementine,” she said.

“I’ve been assigned to your family. With you five children, that’s 100 teeth and I have a 20-year contract to collect them all.”

“One hundred teeth?!” exclaimed Imogene. “Our family is going to lose 100 TEETH?!”

“Yes, 20 teeth each, and there are five of you.”

“And you are coming for twenty years?” squealed Iris. “Why does it take so long?”

17

“Most children lose their first tooth around the age of 6 and their last one around the age of 12, so that’s 7 years of tooth loss and 20 teeth per child."

"With your overlapping ages, I’m estimating I’ll watch you all grow and lose your baby teeth for about 20 years.”

Clementine explained as she fluttered around.

The math made the twins dizzy.

Then she added, “As long you don’t lose them too early.”

18

Iris tilted her head, “Who cares if sugar bugs eat our baby teeth? They’re going to fall out anyway.”

Imogene wondered, “And why is it bad if they come out too early?”

“Your baby teeth help you chew, speak and are place holders for your grown-up teeth.

If they fall out too early, you won’t have room for your adult teeth, and it will be hard to eat.”

Clementine explained.

“Plus, cavities hurt if they get too big and they can make you sick by causing an infection in your mouth.”

“YUCK!” The twins said in unison.

19

"Flossing is important, too. It helps get the food out from in between your teeth.”

Clementine pulled out a thin silver thread from her backpack to show the girls.

That’s where the spearmint smell was coming from!

“I thought only grown-ups had to floss.” Imogene said, admiring the way the floss glimmered in the moonlight.

“Everyone should floss each night before bed. That’s how you prevent the stinky breath that you are blowing on me,” Clementine explained with a smile.

20

Iris asked, “Then why does it hurt to brush and floss?”

"It shouldn’t hurt.”

Clementine said sweetly.

“If you leave fuzzy plaque along your gums, they get angry. They get angrier and ANGRIER until you get the fuzz off.”

Clementine’s voice got loud and her face got red. The girls could see that she was really upset about those sugar bugs.

“But the more you brush and floss, the less your gums will hurt. You might have to ask your mom or dad for help and it’s important to let them help you.” Her face was a normal color again.

21

“Fuzzy plaque? What is fuzzy plaque?” Iris thought it was safe to ask.

“Plaque is a little colony of bacteria eating the sugar on your teeth.”

“Every time you eat cookies, crackers, cake, candy, or drink juice or soda, the sugar from the food and the drinks will stick to your teeth. The sugar bugs love these snacks and start to eat your teeth too.”

Iris had a look of shock on her face.

22

Clementine continued, “Fruits and vegetables are much better choices.”

“In fact, raw vegetables can help clean your teeth!

I always like a crisp carrot stick after each meal.”

Clementine’s wings were dropping fairy dust on Imogene’s pillow as they fluttered in excitement.

“Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt keep your teeth strong because they contain calcium, a mineral important for hardening teeth and bones.”

23

Hmm, thought Iris, feeling a little guilty.

She had eaten a chocolate chip cookie before bed when her parents were not looking and forgot to brush afterwards.

“Uh-oh,” she said.

24

“And your tongue! Don’t forget to brush your tongue.” Clementine squeaked.

Iris looked at Imogene, “I’ve seen Mackenzie brush her tongue. I always wondered what she was doing.”

“It sounds like your older sister is very smart,” Clementine nodded with her arms folded.

“Our brother Oliver is 6. He got his cavities in his baby teeth fixed by the dentist and that’s ok, right?” Iris asked.

25

“Sure, that’s fine, but it’s better if you don’t get cavities in the first place.”

Clementine’s watch was starting to glow.

“Oh floss fuzz, I’m running late!"

"Now which way to Tom’s room? I need to get his tooth back to headquarters or I’ll be reassigned.”

“That would be awful,” sighed Imogene.

“We like you! His room is down the hall with the cardinal night light,” said Iris.

26

“Thank you,” smiled Clementine as she pulled her goggles back over her eyes.

“It’s been nice talking to you girls.

Remember to brush after every meal and floss every night! I hope I don’t have to collect your teeth too early.”

And with that, Clementine sprinkled sleepy sparkles over the twins, and they curled up together in Imogene’s top bunk.

27

The next morning, Tom woke up exceptionally early to find a crisp dollar bill under his pillow and his blue tooth-box empty.

Imogene and Iris also woke happy and amazed by their luck.

They had learned how to take better care of their teeth and made a new friend!

The twins would always remember the few magical minutes of their Capture of Clementine.

28

29

30

About the Author

Jane Wright, is an orthodontist in Kenosha, Wisconsin, who loves to teach, write, and help people smile. Dr. Wright especially loves to educate children how to take care of their teeth. She believes that early dental education can save a person from significant decay and restorations.

Dr. Wright earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science, Master of Science in Oral Biology, Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and Orthodontic Certificate. She teaches part-time in the orthodontic department at Marquette University School of Dentistry and is Board Certified.

Dr. Wright and her husband reside in Wisconsin with their five children, where there is never a dull moment, lots of laughter and the tooth fairy visits often.

Contact Dr. Wright at crawfordortho.com.

31

32