Why I Dislike Going to the Dentist
Let it be known that I haven’t always disliked going to the dentist. When I was young, I actually enjoyed it. The woman who always cleaned our teeth was super nice, the waiting room had the coolest magazines, and it usually meant I got to get out of school early. Oh, and I never had cavities, either.
Then as I got older, we had to switch due to insurance issues and I began loathing going to the dentist. I didn’t like the people who cleaned my teeth, I had to get braces (and we all know how mortifying of an experience that is) and I had my first cavity. I now understood why people hated going to the dentist so much. Here are just a few reasons.
It’s Awkward
I can only imagine how gross I look when they are cleaning my teeth/playing around in my mouth. They can see right up my nose, my mouth is open at its widest point, and I’m sure it’s just not a pleasant experience. I always feel like I’m running out of breath and constantly worry that I’m going to sneeze, cough or spit on the dentist. This increases my anxiety and just makes me even more uncomfortable. There’s nowhere to look while they’re in there filling cavities or scraping away at your teeth, so awkward eye contact is inevitable. Then they try to have a full-on conversation with you while they’re cleaning your teeth. There’s no way I can talk with 4 tools and 5 fingers in my mouth, lady!
It Hurts. Sometimes.
I’m actually pretty good with pain and needles don’t bother me, so at least I have that going for me. Regardless, my teeth, mouth and gums are always in rough shape after a dentist visit. Sometimes they scrape a little too hard, floss a little too much or I get a tension headache from the appointment. That’s not fun. And having to go back to work with a half numb mouth isn’t really awesome, either.
I’m Never Good Enough for Them
Is it just me, or are people at the dentist office mean? I take good care of my teeth, yet somehow they always find something wrong or find some way to make my visit miserable. “You have beautiful teeth”, they’ll say to me. I’ll smile and thank them, only to hear them say “But you should work on flossing more”. Really? I try to floss daily, but I have a lot of other more important things to do. Or I get that flouride treatment they recommended (since I’m such a good patient), only for them to say, “Ooopsies, that wasn’t covered by your insurance. Pay up!”
Do you dislike going to the dentist? Do you have any horror stories to tell?
I actually like going to my dentist, I think it has to do with the fact that mine is incredibly handsome, I mean movie star handsome, you can tell all the hygienist has a crush on him lol. So at least I have something pretty to look at, but I hate seeing any doctor really. But I like the dentist more than the gynecologist I think we all know why.
HAHA you have the best stories!
I HATE THE DENTIST. There, I said it. I have a pretty high pain tolerance because I’ve been living with chronic knee pain for 3 years (it’s a joy), but anything in the mouth area reduces me to a sobbing mess. But aside from that, the whole “let me ask you about your life while I shove a billion utensils in your mouth” is definitely the worst part of going to the dentist!
same! I’m pretty good with pain but I just despise my bi-annual dentist trips
Awww! To be honest I’ve never had a bad experience at the dentist. My guy is super, super gentle and always asks me how I am doing. Almost too much! Sorry you’ve had such a bad experience!
well I’m switching to yours 🙂
Well, I guess you are that good in choosing your dentist! So can you share what are your considerations in choosing your dental clinic or dentist?
i think i could type about this subject forever…i had a HORRIBLE experience last year that took almost 8 months to correct. I had to have a root canal done and i went to this new dentist (because he was on my insurance plan) that i had never been to before. Long story short..he did the root canal wrong..and i had to go through 2 months of someone else having to undo the root canal the first guy did..then i had to have it re-done..so painful and it cost us a ton of money. I say all the time (although I don’t know lol) that if I can make it through all that dental pain i can definitely give birth no problem lol! Dental work is the worst!
haha glad I’m not alone Meghan! I can’t imagine having a root canal- ouch!
I don’t love going to the dentist, but I don’t hate it either. Thankfully I don’t have any cavities so it’s never been a horribly painful experience for me.
whoa lucky you! no cavities?
Ugh….I’m totally with you on that Rachel! I’m not a big fan of dentists either!
The dentist is the worst. I always put it off for as long as I can. It’s always awkward and they totally always yell at you. It’s like… ok, this is just how my teeth are, just clean them and let me be on my way. I don’t need a lecture, haha!
I hate being lectured- I’m not 12!
I am a total dentaphobe and my dentist knows it. I have been going to him for over 20 yrs and I am still afraid.
I think a lot of it stems from when I was in kindergarten and fell and had to wear a cement brace on my teeth because they all go loose. The dentist then was a pediatric dentist and he had a name that did not calm children’s minds.
I have also seen the dentist a time or two too many this year.
oh no!
LOL the title of this post made me crack up. As if this needs any explaining! The dentist is horrific!
haha very true!
The dentist is so not my thing. I don’t dread it, but I definitely don’t look forward to it. What’s up with them trying to talk to you while your mouth is full, anyway?
exactly!
LOL! That photo #1 is absolutely hilarious and #2… I LAUGHED when they said you have beautiful teeth but you should floss more. THEY ALWAYS SAY THAT TO ME. I only had once where they didn’t tell me to work on anything at all. It was after I studied abroad and I had so much free time, I think I flossed twice a day, which really isn’t necessary. Also, I used to not mind it because my teeth always feel SO CLEAN. But now that I pay for it, even with insurance, I just don’t like going so they can clean my teeth and tell me to floss more. Also, they did something to a tooth in the back of my mouth couple years ago and it hurt SO badly for three days. Sometimes it still hurts so I really think they messed it up. Now I’m slightly okay deathly afraid every time I go back.
They are so contracting! I feel like they tell everyone they need to floss more- it’s their go-to line
This might be weird but I love my dentist! The waterpik thing hurts like a mother, but my dentist is one of the sweetest people ever! And she gives massive goody bags after every appointment. If she weren’t in Queens, I’d tell you to go to her!
aw! I just moved so I’m looking for a new one thankfully!
I agree, it is awkward and uncomfortable – especially when they want to talk to you while they are cleaning!
i love my dentist so i don’t have these issues, but i have been to a bad one before who terrified me!! i think all dentists tell you you need to floss more, no matter how good your teeth look, so don’t take it personally!
haha thanks, I’m hearing that from a lot of people
I have to go to the dentist on Monday, yayyyyyyyy. I switched dentists recently, and the new ones have tvs in all of the rooms! So no more awkward eye contact 😉
I need to find one of those!
I dislike going to the dentist more than anything!!! I literally feel sick at just the thought of it. I have a friend who needs to be put out every time she goes.
oh wow!
couldn’t agree more, HATE IT!!!! i just feel so awkward- that’s the worst part for me. I was actually supposed to go today- but I cancelled it!
It’s definitely an unflattering look when you are in that chair!! So far I don’t mind it I go in, they clean, she tries to talk to me and i try to talk back between spits and then they tell me my teeth look great and even if she says that I need to floss I’m okay with that because I actually don’t and have basically been getting away with it.
haha I agree!
Lol I totally dislike the dentist. Nothing good comes of that place. I guess except nice teeth.
I am with you Rachel! I absolutely despise it, and unlike you I am a total wuss with needles. Getting the Novocaine is the worst part!
Hahaha. Poor thing. I HATE the dentist, and all doctors in general. I started hating them around… no, I think I’ve always hated the dentist. My actual dentists are really cool and nice, but I have suuuuper sensitive teeth and they pick the sh*t outta them hahaha. And they always talk to me while their fingers are in my mouth. HELLO?!
And don’t even get me STARTED on X-rays. GAG. Literally.
oh yes I hate getting Xrays at the dentist when they shove that thing in your mouth ahhh
I HATE the dentist! it was so much better when I was younger!
it was fun when I was younger!
I knew I loved you for a reason….I just don’t go….like barely ever because I have serious anxiety attacks….HATE IT!!!
I can’t stand going to the dentist! I’m always so nervous beforehand, but I just have to suck it up and go! I’m with you on everything you said though…I feel like it’s all about the money these days! Your teeth are perfect girl!
aw thanks!
The dentist might actually be my least favorite place in the world! Its awful!
I hate going to the dentist, too, you’re so right about the first thing: it’s plain awkward to sit there and look into their eyes 🙂 plus the pain is never something to look up to.
Ug – I’m with you! The sound of the instruments really gets to me. My dad is my dentist, so luckily I’m comfortable around him, but if not I don’t think I would go!
aw that’s awesome that he’s your dentist! Probably why you have such nice teeth
I agree- the dentist is no picnic.
I always dread how sore my mouth/gums are after a cleaning, too! Ouch!
Haha this cracked me up and unfortunately I need to go in the next month. I skipped going last year so I can’t wait to be reprimanded about that, despite taking really good care of my teeth!
I dislike the dentist too. The sound of those tools are like fingernails on a chalkboard!
Oh my god… EXACTLY to all of this. Last time I was there I said “you know what? honestly, I’d rather go to the gynecologist. it takes less than five minutes and she never points out all the things i’ve been doing wrong the last six months.” Dentists are the woooorst!!!!
EXACTLY
I love going to the dentist because my teeth feel so clean afterwards! But I do hate the small talk when they are in the middle of the cleaning. And I do feel like they judge me a bit.