1. Be sure you’re wearing something comfortable.
2. Bring your security blanket. Or stuffed toy. Or stress ball. Don’t be shy!
3. Ask your dentist to take you through what s/he’s doing. That is if you’re the type who likes hearing what’s going on. If you’d rather not know, that’s also fine.
4. Use your iPod.
5. Write a mental to-do list.
6. Think of blog entries to write.
The last three items are also called “distract yourself from what is actually happening.”
Do not:
1. Berate yourself on why you didn’t take better care of your teeth.
2. Think of the pain, oh, the pain.
3. Look at the needle.
4. Imagine the evils of the drill and lasers.
5. Keep looking at the clock and wish there was a “Forward” button in life.
I’m due for another root canal session this week. Ugggh. While I am very happy that my dentist is highly competent, I still get the shivers just thinking of lying down on that dentist’s chair for hours with my mouth wide open. I’ve never felt more vulnerable in my life.
Could you please share some tips on how sitting at that dentist’s chair will be a more pleasant experience? Advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Em Dy
December 6, 2007 at 12:05 am (16 years ago)A friend offered to accompany me to my wisdom teeth extraction. I said NO. When I was seated and the dentist started working on my teeth, I wanted to call my friend. I gripped the chair instead.
kayni
December 6, 2007 at 12:23 am (16 years ago)i’m one of the people who doesn’t like dentists, nothing personal. i just hate the drilling, the agony of having your mouth open for a long time, the needles, the smell of drilled tooth, and the blood. it’s like going to the torture chamber.
lady cess
December 6, 2007 at 7:34 am (16 years ago)i’ve had two root canal procedures and a couple of extractions. i guess that goes to show wala akong maramdaman na fear of a dentist 😀 furthermore, i’m not really afraid of needles.
you asked a root canal question in facebook. i have another answer – i’d rather have a root canal than suffer another sleepless night because of an aching tooth. jessica zafra once said, there’s no ache like toothache, not even heartache. i heartily agree
Via
December 6, 2007 at 8:29 am (16 years ago)hay naku Toni! I just had gum surgery a few weeks ago. I think that is the worst! Though there is no drilling, your gum is shaved (it’s called a curative procedure bec. my gum was infected though the teeth were fine) I just make make sounds if I have to so the dentist knows na masakit na. And I keep repeating to myself after this I’ll feel like new, after this I’ll feel like new. Then I think of a way to reward myself after like going to the spa.
mamajo
December 6, 2007 at 11:08 am (16 years ago)i’m not afraid of the dentist’s chair. but i agree with #4–i found it a lot helpful when they were doing the tests on me in the hospital.
Pao
December 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm (16 years ago)hi toni. i love my dentist. pati some of my friends & family ni-recommend ko sa kanya. classical or soft music is always playing in her clinic kaya medyo nakaka-relax while you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair. sabi nya yung ibang patients nya nakakatulog pa daw so mas napapabilis ang session sa kanya. 😆
dhey
December 6, 2007 at 1:51 pm (16 years ago)dentists are the scariest people in the world… more frightening than the monsters under your bed! 😛
here’s a tip: i read somewhere (i think it was one of those Brain Blitz or Pinoy Trivia books) that you should keep your eyes open during the procedure. just don’t look at the tools. 😀
denden
December 6, 2007 at 6:20 pm (16 years ago)i agree with pao, ask your dentist to play soothing/classical music. my friend’s a dentist and she says the music really has a calming effect especially those who are v. nervous.
BabyPink
December 7, 2007 at 12:01 am (16 years ago)ewan ko ba, masokista siguro ako pero when i’m at the doctor’s or the dentist’s, i can’t not watch what the doctor/dentist is doing. i can’t distract myself. if there’s a needle, i have to see it. i have to watch it closely as it’s being lowered towards my mouth or any part of my body. i feel it’s less painful that way kasi i’m prepared. say for example sa pagpapakuha ng dugo sa may braso, according to some people, betrano na daw ako dito at sobrang sanay na kasi i can look at the huge syringe asit fills with my own blood as if wala lang siya. ganu’n lang ang sa akin. watch everything being done. pero a lot of people discourage this. hehehe:)
good luck, toni girl!:)
Ruy
December 7, 2007 at 3:02 am (16 years ago)I focus on the relief the dental procedure is going to bring me after. How much better I’ll feel or sleep and most of all… EAT!
mari
December 7, 2007 at 5:05 am (16 years ago)my dentist lets me watch dvds while she’s at it. works for me! her clinic is so cozy.
macy
December 7, 2007 at 8:15 am (16 years ago)nice suggestions toni. i have visits to the dentist. i will be visiting one soon though and will keep everything you posted here in mind.
anyhoo, i have something for you to do. visit my blog. see you there and thanks!
Frances
December 7, 2007 at 8:20 am (16 years ago)My orthodontist in Quezon City is the best. I doze off even when she’s cleaning my teeth.
Now that I moved back to Paranaque, whenever I visit my dentist (the one I’ve had since I was a kid) I can’t help but notice how brutal she is compared to my QC ortho! So I fill my mind with memories of my previous dentist. But I guess the ultimate distraction against pain is work-related thoughts. I can get so occupied thinking about work.
It’s also quite funny and annoying that the dentist tries to strike a conversation while she’s cleaning your teeth. My thoughts go, “How the heck does she expect me to answer that?”
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December 22, 2007 at 6:49 pm (16 years ago)Those were very good tips mister. Personally I find listening to the ipod one of the most relaxing methods on any stressful situation.
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November 28, 2008 at 7:13 pm (15 years ago)there are many things you can do to relax yourself, a dentist is knowhere near as bad as saying going to the doctors. Remember the Dentist is your friend.
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March 30, 2024 at 6:36 am (1 month ago)I appreciate the useful advice. Establishing a cheerful environment during dental visits is essential. To reduce anxiety, I advise bringing soothing objects and diversions. It also greatly helps to put your trust in the dentist’s skills.
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