How to Overcome Dental Anxiety: Tips and Techniques for a Stress-Free Dental Visit

There is no reason to fear the dentist, and by choosing the right dental practice, you can soon put your dental phobia behind you. In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favourite tips for overcoming a fear of the dentist so that you can head into your next appointment feeling confident.

Fear of the dentist explained

There are lots of reasons that patients might report having a fear of the dentist. The most common reasons include:

• Fear of pain or painful procedures, often triggered by a bad experience in the past

• Fear of needles, drills or any other dental tools

• Fear of judgement due to missed appointments or poor oral health

• Fear of the loss of control

• Unease about being in close proximity with the dentist

• Worries about anaesthetic or a fear of choking

• Fear of being diagnosed with a more severe condition, such as oral cancer

As you can see, fears can come from a lot of different sources. They can present in different ways. For example, you might have a fear of the dentist that causes you to make excuses to avoid going to the dentist. Or you might find you become very emotional or upset during your checkup. You might be very tense and struggle to relax during your appointment.

If you are ready to overcome your fear of the dentist, follow these steps:

Step one: identify the cause

The first step in overcoming a fear of the dentist is to get to the heart of where your fear comes from. Think back to past experiences of the dentist and see if any stick out in your mind. If you have a severe phobia, working with a counsellor might be advisable, as they can help you to talk about your experiences and understand the cause.

Step two: speak to your dentist

Now you can point to the cause of your fear, it’s time to speak to your dentist. Explain that you have a dental phobia and you would like to overcome this. Explain what you are afraid of and ask how they might be able to support you. Your dentist could suggest:

• Avoiding the use of tools or needles during your first checkup so you can start to feel more confident. If treatment is required, they can gradually introduce these tools to help you feel at ease.

• Explaining what they are doing to help you feel more in control. They might also come up with a hand signal so you can communicate that you need a break.

• Allowing you to wear headphones during the checkup so you can distract yourself with relaxing music. This can also help to hide sounds that you might find unsettling.

Step three: book a hygienist appointment

If a dental appointment is too scary, you could consider booking a checkup with a dental hygienist. This is a great place to start if you have been avoiding the dentist for a long time. You’ll enjoy a deep cleaning to help you to hit ‘reset’ on your oral health. The tools used are not sharp or scary, so you’ll be eased back into the dentist’s chair in a non-threatening way.

Step four: book a checkup

Once your teeth have enjoyed a deep clean and you’re feeling more confident and familiar, you can then book a dental checkup. Remind your dentist of your phobia and ask them to work slowly, with breaks if you need them. Remember that you are in control during your checkup, and nothing will be done without your consent.

Step five: consider dental sedation

If you have a severe phobia of the dentist, you might benefit from dental sedation for longer procedures. You will still be awake, but you will feel very relaxed and maybe even a little bit sleepy. Patients often find that the procedure goes by very quickly when using oral conscious sedation. This can help to avoid further aggravating your anxiety with long or complex dental procedures.

Final thoughts on overcoming dental anxiety

You don’t have to live with dental anxiety. With our help, you can overcome your fear of the dentist and make your oral health a priority again. Get in touch with our team to find out more.