Do you use hand signs with the dentist?

What for? You have a mouth, make sounds. The dentist is looking in your mouth, not at your hands.

I was at the dentist on Tuesday. He prefers hand signals when possible, indicators of pain and stuff. He certainly doesn’t want me moving my mouth while he’s working in there.

I’m at the dentist now too!!

All this is making my teeth hurt!!! Ack!

Yes, hand signs are what my dentist wants me to use when she’s working in my mouth.

yes…I raise a finger when I need him to stop for a moment, usually for pain or to say something.

Have you ever laughed while being worked on at the dentist? I have a couple of times, kind of an in-my-throat chuckle. It’s been either because he and his assistant said something funny or I misheard something usually while getting gas.

While at the dentist I also raise a finger.

probably not the same one

I communicate mostly by grunts to indicate I have understood what he, or sometimes she, is telling me. I raise my hand if the discomfort level gets too high but I’ve never had to do ths.

I am going to dentist tomorrow. How timely. I hope you don’t have to use your middle finger for any gestures.

Getting one or two root cannals on Friday the 13th at noon. A friend will take a taxi back with me as I will be sedated.

I take a valium before every dentist appt – cleaning, filling, anything.

Anxiety is a major concern for 90% of the population.

I raise my hand a short way to request a pause, for instance when I know I’m about to cough.

Once the dentist and his assistant withdraw, I can speak adequately. I wonder if they take training specifically to understand speech hindered by dental apparatus.

@smudges, yes, I got the giggles something awful once, to the dentist’s great consternation.

@Jeruba Good question… I will ask it.

^^ So how did it go? It’s been a number of hours, so I’m assuming you’ve been home a while.

@smudges The dentist did a x-ray and found that I needed another root cannal. Then she sent me home. I get the root cannal on Friday 13th. A friend will take a taxi with me home then.

Oh good…no problems today, then.

Left hand goes up if the dentist is hurting me. Was taught that when I was 6 years old