Key takeaways about dental anxiety:
- Dental anxiety is common and often linked to fears of pain, needles, gagging, the unknown, past experiences, or cost. Identifying your triggers is the first step to smoother dental appointments.
- Talking openly with your dental team can ease anxiety. They can explain procedures, manage pain, and adjust care to keep you comfortable.
- Addressing fears early helps you stay consistent with dental visits, avoid costly treatments, and maintain better long-term oral health.
Does the idea of going to the dentist make you nervous? You’re not alone! Many people experience dental anxiety before and during dental appointments.
Whether your fear of the dentist is specific or more general, acknowledging those feelings is the first step. Taking small, supportive measures to ease your anxiety can help you stay on track with regular dental care and protect your oral health.
Common fears behind dental anxiety
While there are many reasons people may have dental anxiety, there are six fears that tend to be the most common.
Fear of pain
Many people are afraid of experiencing pain during dental visits. If you’re worried about feeling pain during dental procedures, it’s important to remember that your dental team wants you to be comfortable throughout the appointment.
While certain aspects of a dental procedure may be a bit uncomfortable, such as a numbing injection for a cavity filling, your dentist is there to make sure that you are as pain-free as possible.
Make sure to talk with your dental team about any concerns relating to pain before a procedure begins and let them know if you are experiencing pain at any point during the procedure. Many times, there are options available to keep any pain or dental anxiety at bay.
The truth: There are many options available when it comes to pain control. Talk to your dentist to decide which options are best for you.
Fear of the unknown
Not knowing what to expect during a situation can be scary for anyone, especially at the dentist. If it’s been a while since you have had an appointment or need to go in for a procedure you have never had before, it’s normal to be nervous!
Be sure to talk with your dentist before your cleaning or procedure starts so that you have a good idea of what to expect. It’s best not to search online beforehand to avoid misinformation and rely on your dentist’s expertise instead.
The truth: If you are anxious about the unknown at the dentist be sure to talk with your dentist before your cleaning or procedure. They will be able to walk you through the entire process so there are no surprises.
Fear of needles
Many people experience dental anxiety because they’re nervous about needles. Needles are sometimes needed to apply numbing anesthesia to the gums or soft tissues. This is important to keep you comfortable and pain-free during your visit.
It’s important to tell your dental team if you are experiencing anxiety because of needles. With this in mind, your dentist may apply a numbing cream before an injection to reduce or prevent any pain.
The truth: Some dental work requires injections to numb gums or tissues in the mouth. Be sure to speak with your dentist if you have a fear of needles. They will likely numb the area beforehand to ease anxiety.
Fear of the dentist
If you have had a negative experience with a dentist in the past, you may have a fear of dentists. Maybe a previous dentist didn’t listen to your concerns or did not take your pain seriously, which left a horrible taste for all dentists in your mouth.
If you’ve had a bad experience at the dentist, it’s important to not give up and continue to look for a better fit. Picking the perfect dentist for you may take time, but it will be worth it in the end.
The truth: One bad experience with a dentist doesn’t mean that they all will be like that. Take the time to interview and try new dental offices until you find the one that feels right. Don’t let one bad apple keep you from great oral health!
Fear of gagging
Gagging is never a pleasant experience, especially in a dentist's office. If dental tools, suction devices, and x-ray paraphernalia in the mouth may make you gag, that’s OK!
The gag reflex has a purpose, which is to keep foreign objects from going to your lungs. Unfortunately, it’s hard for our bodies to tell the difference between a dental tool and a piece of steak.
Dentists and dental hygienists have a lot of experience with gagging and often have solutions to the gagging reflex. They may have you focus on breathing through your nose or encourage you to drool during procedures. If you have a severe gag reflex, there are medications available to stop or reduce it.
The truth: Many people gag at the dentist. Don’t stress about it and be sure to tell your dentist or hygienist about it before starting any procedures. They will advise you on what to do to reduce or stop the reflex.
Fear of the cost
Another common concern people have about visiting the dentist is the cost. When you’re worried about how you’ll pay for treatment, it can make it harder to keep up with regular dental appointments.
The good news is that if you have dental insurance, preventive cleanings are usually 100 percent covered and other dental procedures have a lower cost. Dental care focuses on preventive rather than restorative measures, meaning that going to regular cleanings can help prevent invasive procedures in the long run. This approach can save you money and reduce unnecessary pain.
The truth: If a fear of paying for dental treatment is stopping you from going to the dentist, there are options available. Make sure you have dental coverage to reduce out-of-pocket costs and continue to see a dentist on a regular basis to prevent serious dental conditions, which cost more to treat.
The truth behind dental anxiety
If you have dental anxiety, for whatever reason, it’s important to know that there are many solutions to make the entire experience more comfortable. Talk with your dental team openly so that they can provide the best care for your specific needs.
Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from having a healthy mouth and smile!
For more tips on how to ease dental anxiety, check out this article.
