To take a soft toy to the dentist as an adult?

I'm just a bit sad you have to borrow your son's toy. You need to have your very own Going-to-the-Dentist Teddy or whatever who can go with you every time.

Well done!
Good luck with the rest of the appointment.

Take whatever you need to get yourself through the appointment.

I spent my most recent appointment with a fidget toy in each hand playing with both at once for distraction. It helped a lot. I also usually have headphones on and keep my eyes shut. Not being able to see or hear anything helps with convincing myself it's not happening.

I highly sympathise with you and find it perfectly good idea to take the toy. I am also very, very, nervous. What has helped me is taking really good care of my teeth. I go regularly, I pay super good attention to my teeth, this way I hope to ward off pain and problems. It doesn't stop the terror but at least I feel I am doing all I can. Good luck and well done for going!

I take playdoh with me to the dentist and when having smear tests. Playing with it is a great distraction and the only comments I've got about doing it have been positive.

I've been tempted to take a small teddy with me to clutch! He's been in my bag a couple of times. I have a wonderful dentist now who has pretty much cured my anxiety, but I still keep a wodge of tissues in my hand, it's a comfort thing. And I take ibuprofen before appointments, it dulls any gum discomfort during cleaning etc. Good luck!

Stress balls. They're a game changer

My dentist has a stock of them so I'm clearly not the only one that needs them (though I have my own too)

But if you haven't got time for an Amazon delivery then take the toy (but check your dentist hasn't got any - they save the nurses' hands from abuse!)

I do! My dentist hasn't even commented on it, so I think I can't be the only person who has.

I would see that as a very normal logical thing for an anxious patient to do. It's all about distraction!

YANBU
If it helps You, then go for it.

Go for it. Whatever helps. I am a very nervous dental patient and inevitably I cry as I walk in the door for any 'work' (which turns out to never be as bad as I expect it to be). I've experienced nothing but kindness and reassurance from everyone I've encountered. Top tips: tell them you're anxious, take a couple of paracetamol before you go, and (if you're attending a private practice) ask if you can have some numbing gel before the anaesthetic. Good luck xx (PS: I'm older than you)

You do whatever you needs. Anyone who judges you for this (and I'm sure the dentist won't) is an idiot.

Dentists are much nicer and kinder than they used to be. I endured a series of truly sadistic dentists for years, who all made the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors look like the Werthers grandad. As a result, I didn't go to the dentist for a long time 2010, maybe)...

This year I went to a new dentist, and he was amazing. I needed an extraction, unsurprisingly, and he told me I had to ear something before the extraction, and if I didn't, he would feed me. Dentist humour is weird. BUT, it didn't hurt at all, it was over in minutes, and he was nice.

Good luck, OP. I promise you, they've seen it all. A tiny dragon in your handbag wont even be at the edge of weird for a dentist!

Do whatever you need to do to help you feel less anxious, OP.

I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

Do whatever makes you feel better.

But the best thing you could do is find a wonderful dentist.

I totally sympathise. I used to cry in the waiting room before checkups 😳 for extractions I had to be sedated.

I then found my wonderful kind, understanding, sympathetic dentist who was at pains to explain that if I felt any pain AT ALL I had only to raise my hand and he’d stop, go slower and/or pump another pint or two of anaesthetic into my gums if need be.

I can now even have extractions with just local anaesthetic proud

Not going to lie - the fact he’s absolutely beautiful,with the softest, most calming voice helps too 😳

I think it's a great idea 🙂

Of course, whatever makes you comfortable.
It'll be over before you know it.
I concentrate on nose breathing as a distraction, keeps me focused. Best of luck. 💐

Absolutely do what helps you - I work in healthcare (nothing to do with dentistry) and lots of adults have objects or rituals that help them get through treatment, no one will judge and just be pleased you have something that helps. Wishing you well for the treatment today, it's a really brave step to take and you'll be so pleased that you've done it (once it's over!)

Very Sensible to take small things to help you manage

It’s not strange to get sensory comfort from items. I hope all goes well for you. X

Hi OP Im the same! solidarity .Im sure the Dentist wont mind .If it helps you then defo do it .Teeth are so important .Dentists are so hard to get as well,Go for it! thinking of you much lovexx

I’m sure the dentist won’t mind. My only thought is that during a clean there’ll be water spray so just bear that in mind if you don’t want the toy to get wet. Good luck!

Whatever gets you through it. I take a wodge of tissues to clasp as I have also left nail marks in the past