That’s such a good point about audiobooks versus music or comedy—steady narration really does help keep your mind from wandering to every little thing happening in your mouth. I tried a podcast once, but I kept missing whole chunks when the drill got loud, and then I was just frustrated on top of anxious. Audiobooks seem easier to “tune back into” if you zone out for a bit.
I’ve also had mixed reactions from staff. One assistant seemed almost annoyed that I brought headphones, but my last dentist actually offered me noise-cancelling ones before I even asked. It’s weird how much it varies, but honestly, I’d rather have that small awkward moment than sit there tense and hyper-aware.
One thing I wish I’d known earlier—sometimes the dentist needs to talk to you mid-procedure, so having just one earbud in can be a good compromise. That way you don’t miss instructions but still get some distraction. It’s not perfect, but it helps a lot with the powerless feeling you mentioned.
Interesting point about the staff reactions—I've definitely felt a bit awkward pulling out headphones, especially when they act like it's a hassle for them. But honestly, the noise from the drill is brutal for me, so I'll take the risk. I haven't tried noise-cancelling headphones yet. Do they really make a big difference with all those high-pitched dental sounds, or do you still hear most of it anyway?