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

[FettleOfKish]

I’ll start by saying I’m an extremely anxious dental patient after some awful experiences in the past. After circa 3 years of putting it off I’ve got the first of 2 appointments for a very deep clean with local anaesthetic this afternoon and I’m already shaking and feel sick about it.

They’ve arranged for me to have a decent gap between anaesthetic application and treatment (a problem in the past has been a Dentist refusing to believe me that it hadn’t taken effect after 5 minutes) and I’ve got my earphones charging and a good podcast downloaded. I think having something to occupy my hands would help as I’ve gripped my own hands so hard I’ve left marks in the past. No fidget toy or time to get one, would I be unreasonable / completely ridiculous to take one of DS’s tiny jellycat toys to hold / grip / stroke? I’m nearly 42 FFS but I can’t seem to talk myself out of this absolute fear of the dentist and I really want today to go ok so I’m not even worse next week

I’m a dental nurse. We wouldn’t bat an eyelid. Take whatever you need to get you through it x

I take crystals with me - I don't believe that they have any therapeutic effects, I buy them because I like the colours and shapes. Just having them to feel and turn in my hands helps somehow.
I also like to imagine/remember a favourite event or day (like a wedding or really nice holiday, festival) and walk myself through it in as much detail as I can as slowly as possible.
I find anything playing on earbuds overstimulating with the sounds and sensations already happening so it doesn't help me.

As a nurse I adore all teddies. Age doesn't matter. Bring it!

Stress ball and also ask if they will let you wear airpods/similar during the treatment. I put mine in, volume up, and try to zone out. It isn't perfect, but it really helps me. I tell the dentist if it hurts etc then i'll raise my hand. So far none have objected to it.

I recently had day surgery under local anaesthetic, and one of the nurses actually asked in advance if I would like somebody to hold my hand: I accepted gratefully! Obviously, this was a regular enough occurrence to have arrangements in place!
Your dentist should similarly take helping nervous patients in their stride. They want you to cope and have the treatment you need, and are delighted that you have faced up to your anxiety enough to finally face your fear and go ahead,

Well done OP!
If the toy helps, take it next time as well.
My dentist gives me a stress ball to fiddle with so they must be used to people needing things like that.

Do whatever you need to do for you to accommodate treatment without making too much fuss.

I can’t believe I never thought about adding this to my arsenal of tricks to get through an appt without a panic attack.

I’ve jumped out of the chair and not been able to complete the session before so anything I can do I will do. It would be nice not to cut my hands with my fingernails for a change.