I feel you on the anxiety... my son just had his first filling recently, and honestly, I think I was more nervous than he was. He didn't even flinch at the shot, but I was sitting there gripping my chair like it was life or death, lol. Earbuds did help him zone out a bit though, so that's def good advice. You'll probably be surprised how smoothly it goes—hang in there.
I totally relate to that anxiety. When my daughter had her first filling, I was pacing the waiting room like a nervous wreck, imagining all sorts of scenarios. She came out smiling, totally unfazed... kids are way tougher than we give them credit for sometimes.
I totally get that anxiety—I recently went through my first filling as an adult, and honestly, the anticipation was way worse than the actual procedure. The dentist walked me through each step: numbing gel first, then the injection (which felt like a tiny pinch), and finally the drilling, which was mostly just noise and vibration. I kept bracing myself for pain that never came. Funny how our minds build things up, right?
Kids probably handle it better because they don't overthink every little detail like we do. They're more in the moment, less caught up in imagining worst-case scenarios. Next time, I'll remind myself to channel my inner kid and just trust the dentist to do their thing... Easier said than done though, haha.
You're spot on about anticipation often being worse than reality. In my experience, patients who understand what's happening step-by-step tend to feel calmer overall. It's interesting you mention kids—I've noticed they often respond well to distraction techniques, like chatting about their favorite cartoons or hobbies. Adults, on the other hand, sometimes benefit from knowing exactly what's coming next. Everyone's different, but finding your own comfort strategy can really help ease anxiety... sounds like you're already on the right track.
I get your point about knowing what's coming next, but honestly, sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Last time I went to the dentist, they started explaining every little detail about the procedure and my anxiety shot through the roof. I'd rather zone out with some music or stare at those weird ceiling posters they always have. Kids aren't the only ones who benefit from distraction—give me a good podcast over step-by-step commentary any day... especially if it saves me from obsessing over the bill afterward.
