I tried comedy podcasts once and it actually worked pretty well. Didn't really follow every joke, but hearing people laugh kinda eased the tension.
has anyone ever tried those stress balls or fidget toys during appointments?
Yep, stress ball helped me a lot—dentist probably appreciated me not death-gripping the chair.
"Yep, stress ball helped me a lot—dentist probably appreciated me not death-gripping the chair."
Haha, I can imagine! Have you tried those silicone fidget rings? They're pretty cheap online, and I found they help without being too obvious or bulky. I used one during my last cleaning, and it gave me something subtle to focus on instead of the drill noises. Comedy podcasts sound like a great idea too...I never thought of that. Did you just pop in earbuds and let your dentist know beforehand? I've always wondered if they'd mind.
Anyway, good on you for finding something that works. Dental anxiety is no joke, and every little trick helps make appointments less stressful.
I've actually seen a few people use earbuds in my dentist's office, so I don't think most dentists would mind as long as you mention it beforehand. One time, I asked my dentist about it, and she said it's totally fine as long as she can still communicate important instructions when needed. She even recommended noise-canceling headphones if drill sounds really bother me (which they definitely do).
I haven't tried silicone fidget rings yet...sounds like a really discreet option. I've used a stress ball before too, but sometimes I find myself squeezing it too hard without realizing—so maybe something smaller would help. Honestly, whatever helps ease anxiety is worth trying. Glad you found something that works for you; dental anxiety can be tough to overcome.
"She even recommended noise-canceling headphones if drill sounds really bother me (which they definitely do)."
That's actually a great suggestion. I've had patients bring in their own headphones, and it usually helps them relax quite a bit. I remember one patient who always brought in her favorite podcast—said it distracted her enough that she barely noticed the procedure. Silicone fidget rings sound interesting too; haven't seen those yet, but whatever helps you feel comfortable is worth trying out. Glad you're finding ways to manage the anxiety...it's definitely not easy.
Noise-canceling headphones can help, sure, but honestly, I've found they sometimes make me more aware of what's happening because I'm hyper-focused on the vibrations and sensations instead. Weird, I know...but for me, chatting with the dentist or assistant about random stuff—like weekend plans or movies—actually distracts me better. Everyone's different though, so it's good to have options. Glad you're finding something that works for you.
