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"PinterestFacebookConfession: I have a cavity. Well, two. I discovered this while sitting in the dentist chair yesterday. Truth be told, the dentist&amp;#39;s office is a place no one--including me--really wants to wind up in. Here are the top reasons why most people hate dentists, and my solutions on how to deal...\n\nYou Hate: The Ouch Factor\n__How to Deal: Talk It Through! __\nI think a lot of us think that if it hurts, we have to grin and bear it. When I was having horrible pain with a dentist-office whitening treatment gone bad, at first I kept the burning pain to myself--thinking that it was normal. When I finally spoke up--ouch!--my dentist was quick to thank me for telling her. Whether you&amp;#39;re having a cavity filled or just having your teeth cleaned, if something hurts let them know. We live in 2009, not 1909. It&amp;#39;s not supposed to be a painful experience.\n__You Hate: The Bill\nHow to Deal: Talk to the Billing Office__\nIf something on your bill looks way high--like my bill today--ask to speak with the office&amp;#39;s employee who specializes in insurance coverage. When I noticed that the estimate for filling one of my cavities was going to set me back about $500, first I squealed, then I asked them to re-crunch the numbers. Turns out, they forgot to add a certain &amp;quot;code&amp;quot; in the computer system, which reduced my bill to about $130--all because I asked. Little Miss Fortune would be proud!\nYou Hate: The Anxiety\n__How to Deal: Breathe! __\nI haven&amp;#39;t had laughing gas since the 80s (wasn&amp;#39;t that fun?). But the best non-prescription way to deal with anxiety over anything dental-related is to do this: Take deep, calming breaths before and during your appointment (it really does help).\nYou Hate: One-Sided Convos With the Hygienist\nHow to Deal: Music! I happen to love the dental hygienist who always works on my teeth and the funny conversations we have. Her: &amp;quot;How are your boys?&amp;quot; Me (with her hands in my mouth): &amp;quot;[unintelligible].&amp;quot; I love chatting it up with my hygienist and dentist, but if that&amp;#39;s not your thing, just turn on your iPod--they&amp;#39;ll get the idea.\nDo you fear the dentist? Share your good and bad dentist stories! And, tell me if your dentist office offers free massage. If so, I&amp;#39;m really jealous!\nPhoto: iStock"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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