Today, we’re going to explore a world that everyone would gladly do without: the dentist’s office… Yet it’s something we simply can’t avoid, even if the mere sound of the drill would send more than a few people running—myself included…
Some useful phrases for going to the dentist:
- Can I make an appointment to see the dentist or dental hygienist?
- Can I make an appointment to see the dentist?
- I’d like a check-up.
- I’d like a check-up.
- Where in Paris is your dental practice located?
- Where is your dental practice located in Paris?
- Are there any French dentists at your dental practice?
- Do you have any French dentists at your practice?
A conversation at the dentist’s office:
- When was the last time you saw a dentist?
- When was your last visit to the dentist?
- I’d like a check-up.
- I’d like a check-up.
- I’d like a cleaning and polish.
- I’d like to have my teeth cleaned and polished.
- I have a chipped tooth and I’d like to have my teeth straightened. Can I get treatment?
- I have a chipped tooth and I’d like to have my teeth straightened. Is it possible to get the appropriate treatment?
- I have a toothache.
- My tooth hurts.
- I’m going to take an X-ray.
- I’m going to take an X-ray.
- It looks like you have a cavity.
- It seems you have a cavity. It looks like you have a cavity.
- You’re going to need a filling.
- You’re going to need a filling.
- Would you like to have a crown fitted?
- Would you like to have a crown fitted?
- Should you floss more often?
- Should you floss more often?
- I have very sensitive gums.
- I have very sensitive gums.
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A few colorful expressions:
1. Avoir une dent contre quelqu’un.
This informal expression means “to hold a grudge against someone” or “to be angry with someone.”
- Ever since her boss turned down her request for a raise, Isabelle has had a bone to pick with him.
2. To speak through clenched teeth.
This expression is used to describe someone who mumbles, doesn’t enunciate clearly, doesn’t speak loudly enough, and is hard to hear. Another expression is also used: “to speak into one’s mustache.”
- Stop speaking through your teeth—I can’t understand a word you’re saying.
3. To grit one’s teeth.
This expression is used to describe someone who doesn’t want to show their fear, pain, or anger. It’s mainly used to mean that someone is enduring intense pain, whether physical or emotional.
- He gritted his teeth the whole race.
4. Not to part one’s lips.
In this expression, “teeth” actually refers to the lips, since it’s possible to speak with clenched teeth but not with closed lips. It can also be seen as an allusion to the expression “clench one’s teeth,” which conveys rage or pain.
- I don’t know what’s wrong with him—he hasn’t said a word all evening!
5. To come up empty-handed (with something).
This colloquial expression means to face an insurmountable situation—in other words, to fail at something.
- He came up empty-handed on this exercise.
6. When chickens grow teeth.
This expression means “never.” “When chickens grow teeth” is a reference to the absurd—to a situation that will never happen.
- He’ll be on time when chickens grow teeth.
7. Live life to the fullest.
This expression means to enjoy life to the fullest.
- Since he retired, he’s been living life to the fullest.
8. Cut one’s teeth.
This expression has two meanings. It can be used to describe animals sharpening their teeth. A dog, for example, sharpens its teeth on a bone. But it’s also used figuratively to describe someone who is training or learning the ropes.
- Before singing solo in front of an audience, he cut his teeth in a choir.
9. Make someone’s teeth grind.
Figuratively speaking, this expression means to infuriate or annoy someone, or that someone is very angry.
- This new law on high school graduation reform is already making people grind their teeth.
10. To have long teeth.
Literally speaking, you would never tell someone that their teeth are long. This expression is therefore used figuratively to describe someone who is very ambitious, who is opportunistic to the point of being willing to do anything to get what they want—including, if necessary, harming or wronging others for their own benefit.
- My colleague is ambitious; he doesn’t hesitate to step on others to get ahead.
Here are the expressions we just covered in pictures with “Parlez-vous French.”
Dental Vocabulary
| Discomfort | = discomfort/annoyance | Severe pain | = severe pain |
| To get worse/to worsen | = to get worse | To feel at ease | = to feel at ease |
| To be scared | = to be very scared | to have a phobia | = to have a phobia |
| To suffer agony | = to experience intense pain | Painkillers | = painkillers |
| a dental injury | = a dental injury | gum pain | = gum pain |
| dental floss | = dental floss | a swollen cheek | = a swollen cheek |
| antibiotics | = antibiotics | an abscess | = an abscess |
| a cavity | = a cavity | a root canal | = root canal treatment |
| "over the counter" | = sold without a prescription | a wisdom tooth | = a wisdom tooth |
| Pain relief | = pain relief | A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth | = a broken/chipped/cracked tooth |
| To rinse | = to rinse/wash | mouthwash | = mouthwash |
| tooth socket | = tooth socket | To pull a tooth | = to pull a tooth |
| a blister | = a blister | burned roof of the mouth | = a burn on the roof of the mouth |
| become loose | = to loosen (a tooth) | a broken jaw | = a broken jaw |
A short text:
* If you have a broken tooth, it’s important to:
– to collect the fragments
– to wrap them in wet gauze
– take them to the emergency dentist
Some tips: See your dentist as soon as necessary. Avoid self-medication. Remember that in the event of a dental infection, do not take aspirin or ibuprofen without a prescription, as these are anticoagulants that can cause excessive bleeding (excessive bleeding). Unless you have a known allergy, stick to acetaminophen while waiting to see your dentist, as it is often recommended for dental pain. Ice packs can relieve pain and reduce swelling (but not the infection). A specific class of antibiotics is often necessary.
A few entertaining videos to wrap things up:
An absolutely hilarious silent sketch:
It’s interesting to ask learners what’s happening as the events unfold and have them make predictions about what will happen next.
And since we always have to end with a song, Henri Salvador treats us to his thoroughly invigorating “Dentist’s Blues”:
