There is something about going to the dentist that instills the deepest of fears within people. Perhaps it's the horrible taste of fluoride, or the way they make you wear a bib as means to absorb your own blood, perhaps it's the overhead light shining in your eyes or the way hygienists stuff gauze in your mouth and then ask you questions about yourself, leaving you to answer with a muffled, "ashearmph." Whatever the reason, this fact remains: going to the dentist is uncomfortable for nearly every human being, every one who's conscious.

While most people would rather extract their infected tooth with fishing line and a heavy rock than set foot inside a dentist's office, there are a few tricks that can be done to make a trip to the dentist less of an arduous journey.

Hear Music
One of the worst parts about the dentist is the sound of the drill. The whir of it alone is enough to lead a person to imagine their dentist as a money-hungry oil tycoon, red-eyed and zealous, hoping to strike black gold in the center of a molar. Though the drilling can't even be felt, thanks to novacaine and other numbing drugs, the sound puts all sorts of images in a person's head, images that often translate to physical, albeit imaginary, pain. Instead of listening to the drill, bring a Discman or a Walkman and listen to something calm, soothing and even kind of girly, something like Michael Bolton.

Ask Questions
A good dentist will have a good chair-side manner, understanding the fear a patient possesses and maintaining a willingness to keep them calm. Ask your dentist questions and have them give you a step by step explanation of the procedure. Keep asking questions until your curiosity is satisfied. Inquire as to whether your dentist can provide you with any medications conducive to relaxation - a valium, a sedative, laughing gas. And, before the procedure gets underway, prepare for pain or discomfort that may become too much to bear by devising a plan to get your dentist's attention through some sort of signal - a wave of the hand, a tap on the arm, a punch to the groin.

Don't Research Horror Stories
The Internet is filled with horror stories about trips to the dentists. From people who went in for a cavity filling only to have their jaw wired shut to those who went in for a tooth extraction only to come out with fangs, if there is a horror story to tell, the Internet will tell it. Though an impending dental procedure may have you thirsty for information, keep in mind that anyone anywhere can post anything on the World Wide Web, whether their tale is true or completely made up. Another thing to keep in mind is people rarely post positive experiences, they save all their energy for posting "worst experience ever." Thus, it may seem like everyone's experience is negative, but that's only because those with positive experiences aren't talking .and not because their jaw is wired shut.

Overall, going to the dentist isn't among the greatest of trips, but usually it's not as bad as people imagine. It is just one of those things that needs to be done on a regular basis. Dental health, just like exercise, eating right, and sleeping well on a comfortable FoamSource mattress, is one of the fillings of a comfortable life.