" He's salivating like crazy," said the Doc as he asked for more air and suction. "Is the cement hard yet?" "No!" said the dentist assistant, let me try the light again!" "All I hear is rumbling, more suction please!"

The doctors were up to their armpits in Saliva the last time I sat in the dentist's chair a week ago undergoing a routine pulp cap and fillings. The week before I went in for a simple cleaning and it turned out that I would need a crown so the dentist asked if I could come back after lunch.

I agreed and went for a big Sushi plate, however, the ginger and Wasabi gave me the burps and it made me worry about sitting in that chair for the rest of the day.

Luckily my indigestion subsided just in time for the crown and I didn't experience any long and painful needs to burp through the whole procedure, however, after that day I vowed to never eat that big again right before a dental appointment.

This brings us back to the main story, my next appointment, the one where I was "salivating like crazy!" (see image below)

For this appointment, I decided to eat very lightly and skip Lunch altogether. I thought this was the best solution to avoiding "the burps", however, what I didn't realize was that going to the dentist on a totally empty stomach would make me salivate like crazy instead.

Excessive Salivating wasn't that bad for me, but for the Dentists trying to work, it can dampen the mood, not to mention everything else...

Tip #1 for going to the dentist like a pro is don't eat too much...

... but don't eat too little either. Be sure to eat something, preferably something small and full of protein, and be sure to eat at least a few hours before going in, just keep it light.

Tip #2: stay hydrated so you don't feel like you have to pee because you're going to be sitting there for a while.

If you are the type of person with a small bladder, or you simply tend to have to go more often when you get nervous, then what you don't want to do is not drink enough liquids thinking that you will be stopping the urge "cold turkey". The truth is dehydration will make you feel like you have to go, more than if you really have to go because if you are adequately hydrated, your urine is likely to be more diluted, & diluted urine is lighter and may not trigger the sensation of a full bladder as quickly as more concentrated urine.

If you still worry about having to go pee from the dentist's chair, keep in mind that over time your body can adapt to increased water intake, so by drinking more water regularly you can train your bladder to hold longer. So the best advice is to stay adequately hydrated before a dentist visit, drink a lot 24 hours before, and then switch to large sips every hour after you wake up, as long as you don't drink too much too fast and chug a glass right before you go in you should be fine.

Tip #3: If you are a toker, don't use Marijuana before the dentist whatever you do.

I learned this lesson firsthand the hard way, using pot, weed, greens, hashish, and ganja may be great after your visit to relieve the stress and pain, but never before because it will heighten all your senses and make every little thing feel like 10X stronger. Part of the reason for the increased sensations from using Marijuana is due to the fact that it increases heart rate. Elevated heart rate can potentially complicate certain dental procedures or cause discomfort during treatment because it can interact with anesthesia or other medications administered during dental procedures.

Marijuana can also alter perception and coordination, and cause severe paranoia. Being under the influence of marijuana may affect your ability to communicate effectively with your dentist and follow post-treatment instructions.

Other dangers include Blood Pressure Effects: Marijuana use can affect blood pressure & Dentists may need to monitor blood pressure during certain dental procedures, and marijuana use could impact this monitoring.

Tip #4: Listen to your Dentist, don't be afraid to raise your hand if you feel pain.

I admit that I don't do this enough. In the past, I just tried to power through the pain when I didn't have to if I had just raised my hand and said "Doc I feel that!"
If you can still feel your nerves that means you need more numbing agents, and the doctor will give you more shots until you can't feel a thing, so never try to be too proud or tough, just ask for another shot.

Tip #5: Brush and floss before you go in. Use a water pick, and get a Sonicare!

The worst thing is to show up to the dentist and become self-conscious because you have a bad case of Halitosis which could have been avoided if you just brushed and flossed regularly to maintain good oral hygiene. I find that using a waterpick after every meal and brushing regularly with a Sonicare is the way to go. Always change the head on the Sonicare so the bristles are firm, doing this will reverse problems in the mouth.

Tip #6: Schedule regular dental cleaning check-ups, typically every six months.

This helps prevent potential issues and allows for early detection of any dental problems. Letting a little cavity grow into a big one is the worst thing you can do for your health and your wallet. The difference in cost of a tooth filling, hundreds of dollars vs. crowns root canals, and pulp caps, is thousands of dollars per tooth, so don't let a little toothache turn into a big problem. So when you are done with your appointment, never leave the dentist's office without booking your next one.

Tip #7: Arrive Early because on time can still be too late!

If you show up on time, and someone else has an emergency, the dentist may have to help the other patient first. Always arrive at the dentist at least 5 minutes early, as long as you know you don't have any paperwork to fill out, 5 minutes is an adequate amount of time to get there early. Bring something to keep your mind from going idle, so don't forget your handheld devices.

Tip #8: Know your options, know the costs, and have your payment methods ready.

If your dentist only accepts VISA, then don't show up with a Discover card to pay at the end of the day because you may be in for a very shocking surprise.

Tip #9: Get Dental Insurance

Depending on your situation you may want to either get a full-fledged dental insurance plan or simply an in-house dental plan at your dentist. If you are looking at tens of thousands of dollars worth of dental work, then a dental plan will be worth every penny of premiums. If dental insurance is not for you, then start putting money away for your teeth, you're going to need it.

Tip #10: Never get a tongue ring in life!

Tip 10 may be the most important one because if I had followed this tip when I was younger I may have avoided most of my dental procedures before they ever happened. Getting a metal ball bearing installed in your mouth is the worst thing for your teeth, because no matter how careful you try to eat and chew, eventually you will bite down on it causing cracks in your teeth. These cracks will grow and let bacteria down into your teeth, gums, and roots, eventually causing irreversible damage. I had my tongue ring in for no longer than 6 months and 20 years later the thing still cost me 20,000 dollars in root canals, crowns, and dental work just the past two years alone. So an ounce of prevention is worth a fortune of cure in the case of our teeth, take care of your teeth now before it's too late because if you don't the alternative will be very painful with either no teeth left or a big hole in your pocket where your money used to be.

Remember that regular dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health. By approaching your appointments with a proactive mindset and open communication, you can ensure a positive experience at the dentist's office. Follow these tips and tricks about going to the dentist if you feel scared about any of these potential fears when it comes to going to the dentist, and remember to send upvotes this way & to follow @soonlambo for more if you find any of these tips and tricks helpful.

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