Lying back with the mouth open for a long time can be uncomfortable. You can ask the dentist to adjust the chair and to pause at any time.
- Lying back with an open mouth for long can strain the neck and jaw.
- Ask for a thin pillow, a smaller tilt and short breaks.
- Raise your hand to ask for a pause at any time.
- Sit up slowly after treatment to avoid dizziness.
During dental treatment, you often have to lie back with your mouth open for a long time. This position can cause neck strain, jaw ache, difficulty swallowing or dizziness, especially in older adults or people whose blood pressure is unstable. This article suggests ways to make the visit more comfortable.
Why lying back can feel uncomfortable
When you lie back, the neck and shoulders have to stay still for a long time, so they tire easily. Saliva and rinsing water can run toward the back of the throat and make swallowing difficult or cause coughing. Keeping the mouth open for long strains the jaw joint. Standing up too fast after lying back can also make some people feel dizzy.
Ways to feel more comfortable
- Ask the dentist for a thin pillow under the neck and a smaller tilt of the chair.
- Say so as soon as fluid collects in the throat, so that it can be suctioned away.
- Agree on a hand signal to ask for a break, and take short breaks to close the mouth.
- Breathe evenly through the nose and relax the shoulders and jaw.
Most clinics are happy to adjust the chair, and a short pause usually makes the rest of the treatment much easier to tolerate.
At the end of the visit
When the treatment is finished, sit up slowly and stay seated for a moment before standing. If you feel dizzy, sit a few minutes longer and drink a little water. People with high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or chronic neck and back pain should tell the dentist at the start so that a shorter session can be arranged. Older adults should bring a relative, and you can read our article on what older adults should prepare for a dental visit.
You may also like our article on why the dental drill sounds scary. The clinic works by queue number. You can walk in during working hours or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times, which make the visit calmer and more comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
What if my neck hurts in the dental chair?
Ask the dentist for a thin pillow under the neck, a smaller chair tilt and short breaks.
What should I do if I feel dizzy when sitting up?
Stay seated a few more minutes, drink a little water, and then stand up slowly.
What should I tell the dentist before lying back?
Tell them about blood pressure, heart disease, neck or back pain and any tendency to feel dizzy.