No More Fear! How To Beat Your Fear Of The Dentist

Are you scared of the dentist? You are not alone! Many people feel the same way. This guide will help you feel better about going to the dentist.

Why People Get Scared Of The Dentist

Dental anxiety is very common. In fact, 36% of adults feel nervous about seeing the dentist. Some people have dental phobia, which is a stronger fear that makes them stay away from the dentist for many years.

People get scared of the dentist for different reasons:

• Fear of pain
• Fear of needles (trypanophobia)
• Fear of dental drills
• Bad past traumatic dental experiences
• Fear of losing control in the dental chair
• Fear of judgment by dentists

How To Get Ready For Your Dentist Visit

Find A Nice Dentist

The first step is to find a dentist who is good with scared patients. Look for:

• Dentists who say they help anxious patients
• Offices with calming environments (nice music, good smells)
• Places that hide the dental instruments

When you call to make an appointment, ask: “Do you work with people who are scared of the dentist?”

Before You Go

Try these things before your visit:

• Pick a morning appointment so you don’t worry all day
• Bring a friend or family member with you
• Ask if you can visit the office first just to look around
• Tell the dentist about your fears
• Agree on a hand signal that means “please stop”
• Bring noise-canceling headphones or stress balls

Ways To Stay Calm During Your Visit

Things To Take Your Mind Off The Treatment

You can:

• Listen to music
• Use guided imagery techniques
• Watch TV (some offices have screens on the ceiling)
• Try virtual reality distraction
• Count to 100 slowly
• Wiggle your toes

Breathing Helps!

Breathing exercises can make a big difference:

1. Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 counts
2. Hold for 7 counts
3. Breathe out through your mouth for 8 counts
4. Do this 5 times

Medicine That Can Help

Talk to your dentist about:

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) – helps you relax but wears off fast
• Oral sedatives – pills that make you feel sleepy
• Anti-anxiety medications – can help calm your nerves

74% of patients feel less scared when they use “stop signals” during treatment.

Help For Really Bad Fear

If your fear is very strong, these things might help:

Find A Special Dentist

Look for dentists who offer sedation dentistry. These dentists use medicine to help you relax deeply or even sleep during your treatment.

Therapy Can Work!

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is very good for beating dental fear. It helps change how you think about the dentist. Most people feel better after 6-8 sessions.

Other helpful treatments include:

• Exposure therapy – facing your fear bit by bit
• Hypnosis for dental anxiety
• Support groups for dental fear

Take Small Steps

You can start with:

1. Just sitting in the waiting room
2. Sitting in the dental chair without treatment
3. Getting a quick check-up
4. Having a cleaning
5. Moving on to other treatments

Support communities like online groups have helped reduce dental avoidance by 52% in just 6 months!

Helping Kids Not Be Scared

59% of parents accidentally pass their dental fear to their children by using negative words!

To help kids feel good about the dentist:

• Start dental visits at age 1
• Use happy words to talk about the dentist
• Don’t say “It won’t hurt” (this makes kids think about pain)
• Read books about going to the dentist
• Play “dentist” at home with a toothbrush
• Use disclosing toothpaste to make brushing fun
• Pick a pediatric dentist who is good with kids

Finding Affordable Dental Care

Many people avoid the dentist because they worry about cost. Here are some options:

• Dental schools – students do the work under teacher supervision
• Payment plans – many offices let you pay a little each month
• Dental savings plans – like insurance but different
• Community health centers – may have sliding-scale fees

The Truth About Modern Dentistry

Good news! Dentistry has changed a lot:

• New tools make treatment faster
• Better local anesthesia means less pain
• Custom dental whitening trays and other cosmetic options make smiles look better
• Dentists now care more about patient comfort
• 88% of fear-friendly dentists offer sedation options

What To Expect At Different Treatments

Knowing what will happen can make you less scared.

Check-ups and Cleanings

• The dentist will look at your teeth with a small mirror
• They will check your gums
• They will clean off plaque with special tools
• They might take x-rays
• This usually takes 30-60 minutes

Fillings

• The dentist will numb your mouth
• They will remove the bad part of the tooth
• They will fill the hole with a special material
• This takes about 30 minutes per tooth

Root Canals

Many people have fear of root canals, but they’re not as bad as you think!

• The tooth will be numbed completely
• The dentist removes the nerve inside the tooth
• The space is cleaned and filled
• You might feel pressure but not pain
• This takes 1-2 hours usually

Success Stories

Jack was so scared he hadn’t seen a dentist in 20 years. He found a dentist who let him use custom night guards to help with his teeth grinding, and who practiced in a beautiful office with waterfalls. Now he goes for regular check-ups!

Maria used mindfulness during dental visits and found that focusing on her breathing made her much less anxious.

Thomas tried virtual reality headsets during his treatment and was so distracted he barely noticed the procedure.

Questions People Often Ask

Take The First Step Today

Remember, the longer you avoid the dentist, the worse problems can get. Small issues can turn into big ones that need more treatment.

The good news is that most patients say “the waiting is worse than the actual appointment!” Once you get through the door, things usually feel much better.

Here’s what to do today:

1. Call a few dentist offices and ask about their approach to anxious patients
2. Book just a consultation visit (no treatment)
3. Be honest about your fears
4. Take it one small step at a time

You can do it! Your smile is worth it.