Totally get where you’re coming from. I once had a patient tell me she felt like she needed a spreadsheet just to keep track of all the “extras” we suggested. Honestly, not every mouth needs the full works—sometimes it’s just us trying to cover all bases, but yeah, it can feel like overkill. Trust your gut, and if you’re ever unsure, just ask for the why behind the recommendation. Sometimes we get a little too enthusiastic about those fluoride trays…
The “extras” are what make me feel the most lost, honestly. Every time I go in, there’s a new thing—special rinse, new kind of floss, fluoride trays (which I still don’t totally get), and sometimes it feels like I’m being quizzed on my own mouth. Last time, the hygienist started talking about gum measurements and pockets and I swear I just blanked out from nerves.
I always feel like if I don’t say yes to everything, I’m somehow failing at taking care of my teeth. But hearing that not every mouth needs all the bells and whistles is kind of a relief. I’ve started asking more questions—like, “Is this something I really need right now?” or “What happens if I skip this one?” Sometimes they’ll admit it’s just a precaution or something for “extra protection,” which makes me feel less pressured.
Still, the anxiety is real. The chair, the bright light, all those tools... It’s a lot. But I guess learning to ask why helps make it less overwhelming.
I totally get what you mean about feeling like there’s a pop quiz every visit. The first time my hygienist started rattling off numbers about my gum pockets, I just nodded along but had no clue what any of it meant. I used to think if I didn’t agree to all the “extras,” I was somehow being careless, but honestly, sometimes it’s just overkill for a healthy mouth.
Asking “why” really helped me too—once I realized not every new gadget or rinse was essential, I felt less overwhelmed. Have you ever had a hygienist explain what those gum pocket numbers actually mean for you? It took me a few visits before someone broke it down in plain English, and that made a big difference with my anxiety.
I totally relate to the feeling of sitting there, hearing “2…3…4…3…” and wondering if I’m about to get graded on my flossing skills. For the longest time, I thought higher numbers meant I’d failed some secret test. Eventually, a hygienist explained that under 3mm is healthy, 4mm is a warning, and anything above that means they start getting serious about deep cleaning. That actually helped me chill out a bit.
I get what you mean about the extras, too. Sometimes I feel like I’m being upsold on every rinse and gadget. Honestly, I just ask for the basics now and say I’ll think about the rest. It’s wild how just asking “what’s this for?” can change the whole vibe—suddenly they slow down and actually explain instead of just tossing stuff in the bag.
I still get a little nervous before checkups, but knowing what those numbers mean (and that it’s not all or nothing) makes it feel less like a pop quiz and more like a check-in. And hey, if I get a “3” instead of a “2,” I just remind myself nobody’s perfect… except maybe my dentist’s teeth.
I totally relate to the feeling of sitting there, hearing “2…3…4…3…” and wondering if I’m about to get graded on my flossing skills.
The first time I heard those numbers rattled off, I genuinely thought it was some kind of secret dental code for “needs improvement.” It wasn’t until a really patient hygienist explained what each number meant that I stopped sweating it so much. If it helps, even with great home care, I still get a random 4 now and then. No one’s getting straight 2s every time—except maybe the folks who actually floss after every meal (do they exist?). Anyway, asking questions has always helped me too. Makes the whole thing feel less like a mystery test and more like a real conversation.
