Do you close your eyes?

[GoGoSuperBug]

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.

A couple of my dentists have told me they have other patients who fall asleep, but it's not common. They also have the occasional patient who refuses pain relief (eg numbing before drilling), saying they'll just put up with it. I had two fillings in one booking recently. The numbness wore off too early, with just one final bit of drilling to do. I said they could carry on if they were quick, but they refused to and injected me again which caused delay.

Yes closed definitely, makes it easier to zone out especially if it's painful or uncomfortable. Ours always has the radio on.

Eyes open at the dentist. But eyes closed when I get my hair washed at the hairdresser - it's so she stops talking for a few minutes and I can enjoy the massage chair in peace.

It's certainly a missed advertising opportunity! 🤔

I do both
stare to the side of the light. then shut my eyes and do reiki calming exercises on myself.

I genuinely couldn't tell you - probably a bit of both. Take my glasses off though so basically can't see a thing.

As I child I remember our dentist had a massive Where's Wally poster on the ceiling though so he clearly expected eyes open!

It has never occurred to me to close my eyes at the dentist!

I thought this would be about either kissing or having your hair washed at the hairdressers!

Eyes closed and headphones in as I’m really not good with the high pitched whirring sounds

I used to be a dental nurse. Eyes open or closed doesn't matter at all, just as long as you're not staring at the dentist! (Also had a patient who did that). At least one of the places I worked at did have a TV on the wall though.

I've done both, but usually keep them open. It always feels awkward, either way. I also dislike when they ask questions while there are dental tools in your mouth and you have to answer around them.

My dentist does - a very relaxing travelogue ( no sound) type video.

Yhe close my eyes and wait in abject terror for it to be over. Even if I wasn’t so scared I don’t think I could look at the dentist when they have their hands in my mouth that’s just awkward.

That is a real power move... staring the the dentist 😂

Eyes open, because with eyes closed I'm more sensitive to the sensations in my mouth - it's like eyes open overrides the brain signals and prioritises 'sight' over 'touch'.

Conversely, I had a breast cancer consultant who closed his eyes to palpate for lumps because this meant his sense of touch was more sensitive.

🧐

Always closed! Otherwise would feel like I’m staring at the dentists nose 🤣

Closed.

Only one dentist have I been to that they decorated the ceiling, I look at the ceiling mainly

I have a fear of dentists and really have to force myself to go so yes I close my eyes.

I also shut them, I don't find it comfortable keeping them open- just feels awkward and i hate the being at the dentist!

when they are giving the injection I always prefer to watch - which is a little awkward - but does the dentist find that uncomfortable?

I also like to look when they are fiddling around and picking an implement as I don’t trust them not to pick up something for murderous purposes (I have had some terrible dentists and I am convinced they’re all sociopaths)

I can't actually see my dentist when I'm tipped back in the chair; she's behind me. I try to make words out of the name of the manufacturer of the lights (I can't remember it at the moment!), to distract myself from what is going on. So if the name was Thomas, I'd be getting most, mast, host, hots.

open but staring at the ceiling or out of a slightly higher window. Never focusing on what the dentist is doing.

People have eyes open?! Woah. I've never thought about it but it's always been natural to me to close them.... And try to disassociate as much as possible while keeping a tiny bit of consciousness incase they talk to me 😬

Now I'm worried when I go next week, that I'll remember this thread and try to keep my eyes open. Then I'll likely get the giggles during my secret experiment and probably end up choking on my tongue or something trying to stifle it.

I watch the telly on the ceiling , my Dr gives headphones

If Im kissing the dentist I close my eyes, yes.