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Japanese Phrases for Going to the Dentist : Ahhh! That drilling sound on my teeth!! Visiting the dentist is never a fun time, but when it comes to taking care of your teeth, there is no better alternative. In today’s lesson, we’re going to learn some vocabulary and phrases to use while at the dentist or orthodontist in Japan. Be sure to take along a stress ball to squeeze during those moments of excruciating pain! 

Japanese Phrases for Going to the Dentist

Before we begin, let’s take a look at some essential vocabulary when visiting the dentist’s office. 

Vocabulary to Use at the Dentist

Now that you know the vocabulary, let’s get on with some useful phrases.

Phrases to Use at the Front Desk

When you enter the dentist’s office, the receptionist will ask you to fill out some routine paperwork (if it’s your first time). At this point, you’ll need to present your Japanese health insurance card or the card issued by your insurance company. You’ll also need to tell them why you’re there. Below are a few helpful phrases for this situation.

健診をお願いします。
Kenshin wo onegaishimasu.
I’m here for a checkup.

歯が痛いです。
Ha ga itai desu.
I have a toothache.

ホワイトニングしたいです。
Howaitoningu shitai desu.
I want my teeth whitened.

歯茎が出血をしています。
Haguki ga shukketsu wo shite imasu.
My gums are bleeding.

歯が欠けています。
Ha ga kakete imasu.
My tooth is chipped.

詰め物の1つが取れました。
Tsumemono no hitotsu ga toremashita.
One of my fillings came out.

歯並びが悪いから歯列矯正で矯正されたいです。
Ha narabi ga warui kara shiretsukyousei de kyousei saretai desu.
My teeth are crooked, so I would like them corrected through orthodontics.

矯正器のブラケットが外れました。
Kyouseiki no buraketto ga hazuremashita.
The bracket to my braces came off.

これは私の保険に入っていますか？
Kore wa watashi no hoken ni haitte imasu ka?
Is this covered under my insurance?

NOTE: Always make sure beforehand that any visits to the doctor or medical procedures you undergo are covered by your insurance. You don’t want to get stuck with a hefty bill!

Phrases the Dentist Might Use

You know as well as I do that it’s pretty hard to communicate when you’re seated in that dentist chair with all of those scrapers, hoses, and cotton balls in your mouth. Fortunately, however, you won’t have to do much communicating since most of the time the dentist will be dictating what s/he is doing and giving instructions on what they want you to do. Below are a few phrases you might hear from the dentist while they’re working.

痛いですか？
Itai desu ka?
Does that hurt?

親知らずを抜きたいと思います。
Oyashirazu wo nukkitai to omoimasu.
I want to extract your wisdom teeth.

麻酔を使ったほうがいいです。
Masui wo tsukatta hou ga ii desu.
I recommend using an anesthesia.

宜しいですか？
Yoroshii desu ka?
Is that okay?

歯のレントゲン写真をとります。
Ha no rentogen shashin wo torimasu.
I’ll take an X-ray of your teeth.

削りを始めます。
Kezuri wo hajimemasu.
I’ll begin drilling.

行きます！
Ikimasu!
Here we go!

よいしょ！
Yoisho!
Here we go!

虫歯の穴を詰めます。
Mushiba no ana wo tsumemasu.
I will fill your cavity.

歯を抜いたほうがいいと思います。
Ha wo nuita hou ga ii to omoimasu.
I recommend pulling your tooth.

クリーニングしている間、奥歯に虫歯を見つけました。
Kuriiningu shite iru aida, okuba ni mushiba wo mitsukemashita.
I found a cavity on your back tooth while I was cleaning.

口を開けてください。
Kuchi wo akete kudasai.
Open your mouth.

リラックスしてください。
Rirakkusu shite kudasai.
Relax.

口を漱いで。
Kuchi wo susuide.
Rinse your mouth.

うがいをしてください。
Ugaiwoshite kudasai
Please gargle.

噛んでください。
Kande kudasai.
Bite down.

フッ素をつけます。
Fusso wo tsukemasu.
I will apply fluoride.

１日に最低２回歯を磨いてください。
Ichi-nichi ni saitei ni-kai ha wo migaite kudasai.
Brush your teeth at least two times a day.

NOTE: Get used to phrases like 始めます (hajimemasu, start), 行きます (ikimasu, go), and よいしょ (yoisho, here we go). The former two are used when the dentist is about to begin the procedure, and the latter is used when they are taking a second stab at it (literally!). 

As stated earlier, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to say much during the procedure with all of that stuff in your mouth, so here are three easy-to-mumble phrases to remember.

痛い！
Itai!
That hurts!

うん！
Un!
Yes!

うぅぅーん！
Uuuuun!
No!

NOTE: Be careful with the above “Yes” and “No.” The “Yes” is like a short grunt, and the “No” is drawn out longer.

Now that you have a better idea of how to get through a visit to the dentist, next time you’re in Japan try using what you’ve learned! Most Japanese doctors know the English words for certain procedures, so don’t be afraid to clarify what you want in both English and Japanese.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and practice, practice, practice!

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