Have you ever found yourself in Japan, in need of a dentist but not sure how to communicate? 😅 Don’t worry! It’s totally possible to handle a dental visit smoothly, even if your Japanese is limited. A little preparation can go a long way. Today, I’ll be sharing some useful Japanese phrases that will help you navigate your trip to the dentist. Let’s get started!
1. Basic Phrases for Your Dental Visit
The first thing you’ll need to do when you arrive at the dentist is check in or book an appointment. Here are some helpful phrases to get you through that initial conversation.
- Dentist: 歯科 (しか, shika)
- Dental clinic: 歯医者 (はいしゃ, haisha)
- I’d like to book an appointment: 診療を予約したいです (しんりょうをよやくしたいです, shinryou o yoyaku shitai desu)
- Do you have any appointments today?: 今日予約はありますか？ (きょうよやくはありますか, kyou yoyaku wa arimasu ka?)
- I don’t have an appointment: 予約はありません (よやくはありません, yoyaku wa arimasen)
- I have a patient card: 診察券があります (しんさつけんがあります, shinsatsuken ga arimasu)
In Japan, you’ll often be issued a patient card (診察券, shinsatsuken) during your first visit, which you need to present every time you return. Make sure to keep it handy!
2. Explaining Your Symptoms
Next, you’ll need to explain what’s wrong. Clearly communicating your symptoms will help the dentist understand your condition and suggest the right treatment. Here are some essential phrases:
- My tooth hurts: 歯が痛いです (はがいたいです, ha ga itai desu)
- My tooth is sensitive: 歯がしみます (はがしみます, ha ga shimi masu)
- My tooth feels loose: 歯がぐらぐらします (はがぐらぐらします, ha ga gura gura shimasu)
- I have bad breath: 口臭がします (こうしゅうがします, koushuu ga shimasu)
- My gums are swollen: 歯茎が腫れています (はぐきがはれています, haguki ga harete imasu)
- I think I need to have my tooth pulled: 歯を抜いてほしいです (はをぬいてほしいです, ha o nuite hoshii desu)
A key word you’ll often hear in the dentist’s office is 虫歯 (むしば, mushiba), which means “cavity.” If you say 虫歯があります (mushiba ga arimasu), you’re telling the dentist that you have a cavity.
3. Phrases for Treatments
Once your symptoms are explained, you’ll need to talk about treatment options. Whether you need a filling, cleaning, or something more complex, these phrases will help you communicate your needs.
- I need treatment: 治療が必要です (ちりょうがひつようです, chiryou ga hitsuyou desu)
- Please treat my cavity: 虫歯を治してください (むしばをなおしてください, mushiba o naoshite kudasai)
- Please do a scaling: スケーリングをお願いします (すけーりんぐをおねがいします, sukeerinngu o onegaishimasu)
- I need an implant: インプラントが必要です (いんぷらんとがひつようです, inpuranto ga hitsuyou desu)
- Please put a crown on: クラウンをかぶせてください (くらうんをかぶせてください, kuraun o kabusete kudasai)
- Please give me anesthesia: 麻酔をお願いします (ますいをおねがいします, masui o onegaishimasu)
There are many different types of treatment you might need at the dentist, from fillings to orthodontics. It’s helpful to know the specific type of treatment you’re looking for so you can ask for it directly.
4. After the Treatment
Even after your treatment is done, you might still need to talk to your dentist about how to take care of your teeth or when to come back. Here are some useful phrases for the post-treatment conversation.
- The pain is still continuing: 痛みが続いています (いたみがつづいています, itami ga tsuzuiteimasu)
- I need some medicine: 薬が必要です (くすりがひつようです, kusuri ga hitsuyou desu)
- When should I come back?: 次はいつ来ればいいですか？ (つぎはいつくればいいですか, tsugi wa itsu kureba ii desu ka?)
- I’d like to schedule a check-up: 定期検診を受けたいです (ていきけんしんをうけたいです, teikikenshin o uketai desu)
In Japan, dental insurance is commonly used for procedures, so it’s a good idea to ask about insurance (保険, ほけん, hoken) if you have any questions about coverage or costs.
5. Useful Vocabulary to Know
Here are a few additional words that might come in handy during your dental visit. They’re worth remembering so that you can better understand the dentist’s explanations.
- Root canal: 神経治療 (しんけいちりょう, shinkei chiryou)
- Orthodontics: 矯正 (きょうせい, kyousei)
- Anesthesia: 麻酔 (ますい, masui)
- Jaw: 顎 (あご, ago)
- I can’t chew: 噛めません (かめません, kamemasen)
- Implant: インプラント (いんぷらんと, inpuranto)
- Dentures: 義歯 (ぎし, gishi)
- Gums: 歯茎 (はぐき, haguki)
These words can make it much easier to follow what the dentist is saying during your consultation and treatment.
Wrapping Up
Visiting the dentist in Japan can be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you’re not fluent in Japanese. But with these handy phrases and some basic vocabulary, you’ll be able to communicate effectively and get the treatment you need. Taking care of your dental health is important, so don’t hesitate to visit a dentist if you experience any issues during your stay in Japan. I hope these phrases help you feel more confident during your next visit!