L'anglais médical chez le dentiste : maux de dents, caries, nettoyages, plombages, extractions
Cet article enseigne la communication en anglais dans des situations de santé. Il ne s'agit ni d'un diagnostic ni d'un avis de traitement dentaire. En cas de gonflement important du visage, de fièvre, d'impossibilité d'ouvrir la bouche, de difficultés à avaler, ou de traumatisme ayant cassé ou expulsé une dent, contactez immédiatement un dentiste d'urgence ou rendez-vous aux urgences.
L'anglais dentaire utilisé aux États-Unis est plus accessible qu'on ne le pense, mais quelques mots précis reviennent souvent : cleaning, filling, cavity, root canal, extraction, crown. La compétence clé consiste à décrire quelle dent est concernée — haut ou bas, gauche ou droite — ainsi que la nature de la douleur. Cet article se concentre sur cette description.
Vocabulaire de base
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cavity | decayed area / hole in a tooth | I think I have a cavity. |
| toothache | tooth pain | I've had a toothache for two days. |
| filling | the material used to fill a cavity | I need a filling on this tooth. |
| crown | cap that covers a tooth | The dentist recommended a crown. |
| root canal | treatment of the tooth's nerve | Do I need a root canal? |
| extraction / pulling a tooth | removal of a tooth | I might need an extraction. |
| cleaning | dental cleaning / hygiene visit | I'm here for a cleaning. |
| X-ray | dental imaging | When was your last dental X-ray? |
| sensitive | reactive to stimuli | This tooth is really sensitive to cold. |
| upper / lower | upper jaw / lower jaw | It's an upper molar. |
| left / right | left side / right side | The pain is on the right side. |
| molar / premolar / canine / incisor | tooth types (back to front) | The lower right molar. |
| gum / gums | tissue around the teeth | My gums are bleeding when I floss. |
| swelling | puffiness | There's swelling around the tooth. |
| bite down | close your teeth together | It hurts when I bite down. |
| numb / numbing | the freezing / local anesthetic | The numbing should kick in soon. |
| novocaine / lidocaine | local anesthetic drug | I've never had a reaction to lidocaine. |
Phrases incontournables
- I'd like to schedule a cleaning. / I'm here for my cleaning.
- I think I have a cavity in [location].
- I have a toothache in my [upper / lower] [left / right] [molar / front tooth].
- The pain is [sharp / dull / throbbing / constant / comes and goes].
- It hurts when I [bite down / drink something cold / drink something hot].
- This tooth is sensitive to [cold / hot / sweet things].
- I lost a filling. / A filling fell out.
- I think I cracked a tooth.
- My gums bleed when I [brush / floss].
- It's been [time] since my last cleaning.
- I'd like to discuss the treatment plan and the cost first.
- Does my insurance cover this?
Tournures maladroites vs. naturelles
| Less natural | More natural |
|---|---|
| My tooth is broken with hole. | I think I have a cavity. |
| Tooth pain when eat ice. | This tooth is sensitive to cold. |
| Tooth above left back. | Upper left molar. |
| The medicine to make sleep tooth. | The numbing / the local anesthetic. |
| Take out tooth. | Extract the tooth. / Have the tooth pulled. |
| Wash teeth. | Get a cleaning. / Have my teeth cleaned. |
Dialogue en situation
Scénario 1 : prendre rendez-vous à l'accueil
Receptionist: Thanks for calling. How can I help?
You: Hi, I'd like to schedule a cleaning. I'm a new patient.
Receptionist: Sure. Do you have dental insurance?
You: Yes, I have Delta Dental. Could you check if you're in-network?
Receptionist: I'll check. The next available cleaning is in three weeks. Is Tuesday at 10 a.m. OK?
You: That works. Thank you.
Scénario 2 : décrire un mal de dent dans le fauteuil
Dentist: What brings you in today?
You: I've had a toothache in my lower right molar for about a week. It started as cold sensitivity, and now it hurts whenever I bite down.
Dentist: Is the pain sharp or more of a dull ache?
You: It's a sharp pain that comes when I bite down. Sometimes it throbs at night.
Dentist: Let's take an X-ray to see what's going on.
Modèles de phrases interchangeables
- I have [a toothache / sensitivity / a chipped tooth] in my [upper / lower] [left / right] [tooth type].
- The pain started [TIME] ago, and it's [sharp / dull / throbbing].
- It hurts when I [bite down / drink cold / drink hot / brush].
- I'm here for [a cleaning / a filling / a checkup / an emergency visit].
- Could you walk me through [the treatment plan / the cost / what my insurance covers]?
Entraînement
- Dites ceci en anglais naturel : deux semaines de forte sensibilité à l'eau froide au niveau de la canine inférieure gauche.
- Dites ceci en anglais naturel : un plombage est tombé hier soir pendant le repas.
- Dites ceci en anglais naturel : des gencives qui saignent facilement au brossage.
Réponses de référence
- My lower left canine is very sensitive to cold water. It's been about two weeks.
- I lost a filling while eating last night. / A filling fell out last night while I was eating.
- My gums bleed easily when I brush.
Résumé pré-visite prêt à copier
- Reason for visit: Toothache in lower right molar
- Onset: ~1 week ago
- Pain quality: Started as cold sensitivity; now sharp on biting; throbs at night
- Triggers: Cold drinks, biting down
- Other symptoms: No facial swelling, no fever, no jaw locking
- Last cleaning: ~10 months ago
- Last X-ray: ~2 years ago
- Allergies: None / [list, e.g., latex, lidocaine]
- Medical conditions: None / [list, e.g., on blood thinners, pregnant]
- Insurance: [Plan name] — please verify coverage and copay
Une note sur les limites médicales
Cet article a pour seul objet la pratique de la communication en anglais et ne fournit ni diagnostic ni avis de traitement dentaire. La décision de poser une couronne, de réaliser un traitement de canal, une extraction ou d'utiliser un anesthésique particulier revient à un dentiste agréé. Si vous présentez un gonflement important du visage qui s'étend vers le cou ou la face, une forte fièvre, une impossibilité d'ouvrir la bouche, des difficultés à avaler ou à respirer, il peut s'agir de signes d'une infection dentaire en train de se propager — rendez-vous immédiatement aux urgences ou contactez un dentiste d'urgence.
Lectures complémentaires
Blessures en anglais, Soins oculaires en anglais, Rhumes, fièvres et toux en anglais.