I Shadowed a Dentist for 8 Hours—Here Are 5 Myths (Busted!) 

When you think of going to the dentist, what comes to mind? For a lot of people, the experience consists of bright lights, scary tools, that awkward wide-open mouth feeling, and maybe even pain. After shadowing a dentist for a whole day, I’ve learned how many of the myths surrounding dental visits aren’t true at all. Here are five main ones I kept hearing—and why they’re false! 

Myth #1: Dentists are scary

They’re not. Dentists are regular people who drink coffee (specifically, iced), tell stories about what they did over the weekend, and plan vacations like everyone else! At the office I shadowed, the team even started their day with a morning meeting to boost morale and brainstorm how to make the patient experience the best they can. 

Myth #2: Going to the dentist always hurts. 

This is one of the biggest fears when patients come to clinics; modern dentistry is all about comfort. If you easily get nervous, you’re provided with comfort items—such as blankets and pillows—or stress balls that you can squeeze. Especially for procedures like fillings, dentists use numbing gels and tiny needles you’ll barely feel. 

Myth #3: You only need to go if something hurts. 

Regular checkups usually catch small problems earlier, even before you notice them. If you do wait until you feel pain, that usually makes things worse (and way more expensive). Prevention is the best medicine. 

Myth #4: Dentists judge you if your teeth aren’t perfect. 

Dentists have seen it all. If you don’t think so—think again. Really, their goal isn’t to make you guilty—it’s to prevent your pain in the future (improving health). Even if you missed a couple days of flossing, they’re here to help you move forward rather than make you feel horrible. 

Myth #5: Sugar is the only thing that causes cavities. 

While sugar is guilty in the crime, it’s not acting alone. A few factors can play a role: acid drinks, constant snacking—and the worst one of them all—genetics. Everything is preventable though; just don’t constantly expose your teeth, and clean them extra well afterwards. 

TLDR;

Most of the scary stories about dentists turn out to be just myths. After spending 8 hours shadowing one, I can tell you they care more about making you comfortable and keeping your smile healthy than anything else.

A brush and floss a day keeps cavities away—but not your dentists.