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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you close your eyes?

156 replies

GoGoSuperBug · 27/02/2026 21:10

At the dentist? I always close my eyes because it feels weird having someone that close to my face. I hate the opticians because I have to keep my eyes open.

YABU - I keep my eyes open, it would be rude to close them.

YANBU - it’s less awkward for everyone to keep them closed.

OP posts:
Flannelfeet · 27/02/2026 22:52

I close my eyes, and grip the sides of the chair till my fingers are white, then when hes done with me and says "ok, rinse your mouth out" I open them, look around in horror while shaking, do what im asked then tell him i hate him (not personally) and thats just a check up. The wee nurse laughs when she sees me coming in 😳. Wonder how i would be getting the implant veneer things? Think they would need to knock me out for that, then keep me knocked out till the pain went and I woke up normally like sleeping beauty but only with a mouth like shergar 😁😁😁

MummyJ36 · 27/02/2026 22:50

I always shut my eyes at the dentist. I really like my dentist but if I open my eyes I’m reminded of how much of an intimate thing it is to have someone’s hands in your literal mouth 😆

Emonade · 27/02/2026 22:50

GoGoSuperBug · 27/02/2026 21:18

I just lay there with my glasses on over my closed eyes, now I think the dentist is wondering what I am doing.

My dentist has a tv on the ceiling so I look at that although it is fairly unexciting! He also gives me headphones to listen to music!

Autonomouse · 27/02/2026 22:45

My former dentist gave his patients sunglasses. I usually keep my eyes shut, I don't need to keep them open, and I would, if I were the dentist and his technician, not like having eyeballs staring at them, even though they're not looking at my eyes are they? I like to imagine myself at a sunny beach, the strong light helps with my imagination.

ThatLilacTiger · 27/02/2026 22:44

Monsterslam · 27/02/2026 21:14

I keep them open. I always think they should have a tv on the ceiling

Mine does!

drspouse · 27/02/2026 22:40

I almost fell asleep during an MRI once. I close my eyes at the dentist, the hairdresser when she's washing me (even though my old hairdresser had either a fire or fish projected on the wall!) and in Pilates. I think I'm just quite relaxed with them shut!

Lovelynames123 · 27/02/2026 22:40

Monsterslam · 27/02/2026 21:14

I keep them open. I always think they should have a tv on the ceiling

My dentist does have a tv on the ceiling!

Driftingawaynow · 27/02/2026 22:37

Same as sex. Stare at the ceiling, occasionally squint

goingtotown · 27/02/2026 22:35

The glasses at my dentist are tinted I still close my eyes.

UltraAlox5 · 27/02/2026 22:34

Yes as once I had them open and started to think about how weird it was having two people staring into my mouth and then got the giggles and they had to stop so I could calm down 🫣

Bearsdolovetrees · 27/02/2026 22:33

What about when giving oral sex?

CampingInTheSnow · 27/02/2026 22:28

Eyes open, looking at the ceiling, spending the whole time wondering what kind of person would choose to be a dentist!

KimberleyMilkado · 27/02/2026 22:28

The thought of so many closing their eyes at the dentist is cracking me up.

SassyCow · 27/02/2026 22:26

I close my eyes as I don't like going to the dentist. If he's talking to me I will open them for that only.

jetlag92 · 27/02/2026 22:26

I'm an optician. Just blink normally.
I always shut my eyes at the dentist.

CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 27/02/2026 22:25

Bruisername · 27/02/2026 21:18

I stare at the ceiling. My old dentist had a where’s wally poster up there

i hate the opticians when they’re bobbing around an inch from your face. Find it so hard not to burst out laughing

I had an ‘unfortunate experience’ once at the opticians, when he was about 5mm away from my face…he burped!! 😳

JustOnePersonNotAnOctopus · 27/02/2026 22:24

I close my eyes because I’m usually trying not to have a panic attack!

GrillaMilla · 27/02/2026 22:23

I close my eyes and try to have an out of body experience

OblongPyjamas · 27/02/2026 22:21

It never occurred to me not to close them! The very idea of keeping them open seems bizarre to me.

PurpleLovecats · 27/02/2026 22:20

Shut for sure!!

Although the only way you even get me into a dental procedure is with IV sedation!

climbintheback · 27/02/2026 22:20

Always and then start giggling - then I choke and we have a rest and a laugh!

twilightcafe · 27/02/2026 22:18

I use the time to have a nap!

Borborygmus · 27/02/2026 22:18

CantBreathe90 · 27/02/2026 22:15

It literally never occurred to me until now, that anyone would leave them open!

It had never occurred to me that anyone would close them!

TellingBone · 27/02/2026 22:17

I close them. I don't want to see the instruments of torture approaching

skippy67 · 27/02/2026 22:16

My dentist gives patients sunglasses. So no awkwardness at all.