DENTAL ANXIETY GUIDE

Do you have dental anxiety? You're not alone.

Fear of the dentist--or dentophobia--is incredibly common. In fact, according to the Journal of Dental Hygiene, roughly 50-80% of all adults report some level of anxiety (with 26% recording extreme fear). This aversion can, ironically, cause the aggravation to compound, as avoiding the dentist can lead to worse oral health outcomes overall in the form of tooth pain, gum retraction, and more.

But it makes a lot of sense! Dentistry involves a lot of scary-looking tools, loud noises, poking, and prodding. Some of this discomfort is inevitable--but it doesn't have to be miserable. Modern dentistry provides many options to make visits more pleasant, from medications to methodology to understanding dental teams. (You can read more about our sedation options here.)

If you haven't visited the dentist in a long time, there's no need to be embarrassed. We're not here to judge, nor shame you; we're simply appreciative that you're considering us to help you jump back in to your oral health journey. Below, you'll find further guidance on how to make that first step--and keep in mind that you're always free to reach out and ask us questions directly.

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Dental Visit as Painless as Possible:

Remember: You can leave at any time. Too often, patients feel pressured to stay at the dentist until the end of their cleaning; but that's not a hard-and-fast rule. If you haven't visited the dentist in a while, just arriving at the office can feel intimidating enough--and if that's all you can do at first, it's still progress! Stop by to fill out paperwork, talk to the staff, or get used to the environment. A full visit can happen later, when you're more comfortable.
Bring items to make your experience more enjoyable, such as a stuffed animal to squeeze, a blanket to keep you warm, or headphones to help block out the noise. Distractions aren't childish; they're responsible, in fact, since they allow you to properly care for your teeth.
You can always bring a support person! Holding someone's hand can really help people through a difficult moment--and if you don't have someone readily available, you can always ask a dental assistant to fill in.
Sedation methods are available at all our locations, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral medication, and even general anesthesia. Utilizing these tools doesn't make you weak; it shows that you're strong enough to go the extra mile to address your issues or maintain your health.
Being prepared can help lessen your anxiety. Gather relevant records from your previous dentists and doctors before your first visit. That way, you'll be fully prepared to answer any questions your new team might have!
You can advocate for yourself at any time. Feel free to raise your hand or bring something to the dentist's attention. Though we're medical professionals, we're not mind-readers; we want to know very much if you're uncomfortable, hurting, or in need of something before we go on with the appointment.
Take care of your teeth before and after your visits. People who regularly brush and floss have a much easier time at the dentist, as plaque doesn't have the chance to build up so much on regularly cleaned teeth.
It's worth repeating: We're. Not. Judging. We don't care if it's been six months or six years; we're just happy you made the decision to come in and take care of yourself.

Don't know where to start?

Our trusty guide booklets can help! Just click the blue icon for information catered towards adults and the sparkly icon for information catered towards kids.