About 20 percent of Americans experience so much anxiety when it comes to the dentist, they vow to only visit when it is absolutely necessary. That means avoiding six-month cleanings, self medicating a toothache and remembering to floss as often as possible.
Dental phobia is real, but I don’t have it. Trips to the dentist are an absolute treat. Turns out a few of my social media followers might have agreed by the love they showed me in the favorites department, but the GIF to follow it up spoke volumes.
Yes, yes, liking the dentist makes me a minority. But hear me out:
It’s not the doctor
You don’t know what’s going to happen on a visit to the doctor. Whether you go there for a specific issue or an annual checkup, your mind starts to wander after a few WebMD searches to pre-diagnose your condition.
The doctor’s office can be a total wildcard experience; your body is literally so complicated that anything could be going on in there with or without you knowing. 9.5 times out of 10 you’re good to go, but the risks at the dentist are for sure lower. A cavity or root canal seems minor in comparison to what could be going on inside of you.
You get treated like, well, a baby
A dental hygienist is the nicest person on earth. And every time I visit a dentist, everyone talks to me like I’m still my fourth grade self coming in for a filling or consultation for braces. It’s so comforting I don’t even feel the need to remind them I’m in my twenties, have a full-time job and can handle the pain or bad news like a grown woman.
“It’s just going to sting for one second sweetie, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“How are you holding up? Do you need me to take a break so you can rest?”
“What’s your favorite season? I heard the sun is going to come out this afternoon!”
Bring on the baby talk! Let me feel like you really care about me and will never hurt me, I’m totally buying it. No one will ever be that sensitive to your feelings in real life.
Goodie bags galore
They don’t ever let you leave the dentist empty-handed. How many times have you forgotten to buy a toothbrush and scrambled around the house looking for one before bedtime? Hang on to that tiny goodie bag from your dentist for a pleasant surprise next time that happens at home. I love the free hookup that reminds me to give flossing a go every once and a while, test out a new mouthwash and have that backup toothbrush at the ready.
It feels good to get clean
A regularly-scheduled cleaning is like paying the full $20 for the supreme treatment at the car wash. That sh*t is thorough as hell and makes your mouth feel like a million bucks (once your gums stop bleeding and everything). Yeah, the nails-on-chalkboard sound of the utensils scratching against your teeth is pretty horrific, but the end result is worth it.
This could be you but you’re playin’ (scared of the dentist)
I feel like four reasons to love the dentist is pretty unheard of, and for me, the list could probably go on. Let’s just say I can’t wait for the next six months to go by until I’m back in that relaxing chair rocking some stunner shades.
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