The 5 Worst (and Best) Things You’ll See Going to the Dentist

Nobody is a fan of going to the dentist - especially me. I was genetically 'gifted' with soft teeth. I have sat (laid) in a dentist chair more times than I would like to think about.

Let's just say that my mouth has had a lot of different fingers in it.

It's not because I don't brush (I do) or floss (I do) or eat a lot of junk food (I don't). It's a gene's thing, and that's a fact. My wife has hard but crooked teeth, and I have soft but straight teeth. Our son got the best of both of us, and our daughter got the worst.

She and I must get our regularly scheduled cleanings. Our last one was supposed to be months ago. Then COVID hit and shut that down. I finally got one set up, and I was nervous for us. How bad would it be?

Turns out, not too bad. My daughter had no issues, and I had a minor one.

But that got me thinking -- since I'm such a 'frequent flyer' to the dentist office -- what are the things I hate the most about going to the dentist.

Five Worst Things You'll See At The Dentist

The Chair

Just seeing that chair is enough to give people anxiety.

The Spreader

I think that's what it's called. Doesn't matter. It's a chunk of metal in your mouth. And if it's in there, it's probably not for a good reason.

The Scary Drill

It spins and makes an awful grinding noise. I'm not a fan.

The X-Ray and that Plastic Thing

I hate that plastic thing. I warn the hygienist, that they better be quick with that x-ray or I might gag all over it, me and the dentist chair I'm sitting in.

The Even Scarier Drill

This has a high-pitched, almost Terminator-like sound. Plus, there's that light, which seems to make it worse.

Novacane Shot

Now, this is the worst. I hate the novocaine shot -- that pinch followed by the numbing of your mouth. Talking and eating and drinking are very difficult. And the feeling takes hours to go away.

Okay, to be fair, I found five good things. This wasn't easy.

Five Good Things You'll See at the dentist.

The Cleaning Instruments

They look scary, but they're not bad, and I love how my teeth feel after a cleaning.

The Polisher

This goes along with the cleaning instruments and makes your teeth look and feel better.

The Gas

Don't like the novocaine shot either?  This is always a better option.

The Staff

I love the staff at my dentist's office—a very nice group.

The Door

It's better to be leaving than entering the dentist I always say.

A big thanks to the staff at Kron and Erlandson for letting me take pictures of the things they put in my mouth.