Without teeth, tongues would slither out of mouths and go on to lead unfulfilling lives catching raindrops and licking strangers' faces. Keep a stir-crazy taste muscle contained in a gleaming cage with today's Groupon: for $49, you get a dental exam (a $105 value), x-rays (a $230 value), and a cleaning (a $105 value) at Westbrook Family Dental Care in West Roxbury.

The expert dentists at Westbrook Family Dental inspect mouth pearls to make sure they comply with fire and safety codes before buffing them to a luminescent sheen. During the exam, gum gumshoes scan for signs of trouble in the form of tooth decay and oral diseases, helping to nip maw flaws in the bud. Then panoramic and bitewing x-rays leave cavities no place to hide, exposing their anti-teeth agenda before it can spread to denture haters across the country. The visit concludes with a thorough removal of tartar and plaque above and below the gum line and a polishing that awakens dormant chomper luster. The dentists are particularly sensitive to patients with anxiety about dental care, putting together a list of tips that includes bringing a music player to listen to during treatment and speaking to the dentist beforehand to allay concerns.