I totally get the anxiety thing, but have you tried just asking your dentist to skip the play-by-play? Most dentists I've seen are pretty chill about adjusting their approach if you let them know upfront. Mine used to narrate every step too, until I mentioned it made me tense. Now we just chat about random stuff or I zone out with headphones. Might be worth a shot next time you're in the chair...
Does your dentist really let you use headphones during the checkup? I've always wondered if that's actually allowed, especially for kids. My daughter gets super anxious at the dentist, and honestly, I do too... Would headphones help her zone out, or would they just get in the way? Also, do you think dentists mind if you ask them to skip explanations for younger patients? I'm cautious about asking because I don't want to seem rude or anything.
Headphones are totally fine—actually, lots of dentists encourage it. I've seen plenty of kids (and adults, lol) zoning out to music or podcasts during checkups. Just make sure they're not bulky ones that get in the way of the dentist's tools. And trust me, dentists won't mind if you politely ask them to skip detailed explanations for younger patients. Honestly, we get it—sometimes less info is better, especially for anxious kiddos. Just casually mention it at the start, no biggie.
Glad you mentioned headphones—I never thought of that before. My dentist tends to give detailed explanations, and honestly, it just amps up my anxiety. I usually nod along but internally, I'm like "please stop talking"... Maybe next time I'll gently ask them to keep it brief for my sanity. It's reassuring to hear dentists are generally okay with that kind of request. Thanks for sharing this!
Headphones are a lifesaver, seriously. My dentist loves the small talk too—last time he started chatting about his fishing trip mid-cleaning. Like, dude, I can't even respond right now... Does anyone else's dentist overshare personal stories?
