Many people picture a drill-wielding dentist just waiting to cause pain. The reality is very different. Your comfort, relaxation and happiness come first, and our team will do whatever we can to ease anxiety and make treatment quick and comfortable. Today there are also many safe anesthetics to eliminate pain and reduce anxiety during routine visits.
“Going to the dentist has always given me anxiety, but they made me feel at ease.” (Skyler F.)
Common dental fears
- Embarrassment about the condition of your teeth
- Gagging
- Injections
- Losing control
- Not getting numb
- Pain
- The dentist as a person
- The drill
Ways to feel more at ease
As many as 35 million people avoid the dentist altogether because they’re afraid, yet regular checkups are the easiest way to keep your mouth healthy and avoid more complex treatment later. These tips help:
- Talk to us. We can’t read minds, and it can be hard to share fears, but if you tell us, we can take extra care.
- Bring music. Calming music relaxes you and drowns out noises.
- Agree on a signal. Raise your hand or tap the chair, and we’ll stop.
- Use a throat spray (such as Vicks® Chloraseptic®) to help control a gag reflex for about an hour.
- Hold a mirror. Seeing what’s happening can keep your imagination in check.
- Consider sedation. Options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation and IV sedation. See Sedation Dentistry.
- Ask about alternatives. We’ll talk through the options and choose one that works for you.