Around 46% of people experience some sort of fear or apprehension over going to the dentist.

Reasons vary from embarrassment to fear of needles. But if you allow yourself to avoid the dentist for too long, it can be detrimental to your teeth. Existing problems worsen, and new ones creep into the picture.

Even if you experience dental anxiety, it's important to get yourself to an appointment. 

Thankfully, there are lots of ways to ease dental anxiety. These tips and tricks make a trip to the dentist far less intimidating, and let you go more regularly.

Read on to learn more about dental anxiety, as well as which tips do and don't help you combat it.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is a light to moderate fear of going to the dentist. Those who experience dental anxiety can even struggle to sleep the night before a visit. The most commonly listed reasons include the fear of anesthesia not working and the fear of pain.

Dental Phobia

Even more severe is a dental phobia. Only affecting about 3-4% of people, dental phobia is an irrational fear of the dentist. Though the patient knows that their fear is irrational, it doesn't help them overcome it.

The Problem With Dental Anxiety

However, dental anxiety is a vicious circle.

Those who go to the dentist regularly allow their dentist to keep on top of their oral health. As soon as an issue arises, it can be dealt with. No infections or similar problems have time to worsen.

When you suffer from dental anxiety though, you may want to avoid the dentist. You'll likely book appointments less regularly, if at all.

But that means your teeth can get worse!

All the time spent avoiding the dentist gives any dental issues time to take root. So when you do eventually visit, perhaps due to severe pain, you'll need more serious dental services.

What Can Help With Dental Anxiety?

More intensive dental treatment like that is often the source of dental anxiety. But if you visit more regularly, you'll likely avoid such serious issues! That's why it's so important to overcome dental anxiety.

Simple Tricks

The first set of solutions is simple tricks that require no medical attention. This will likely make a difference for most people with light to moderate dental fear.

Clear Communication

The simplest solution to many people's anxiety is clear communication. A better understanding of what your dentist will do and why can make people feel less nervous. Many find that having a clear idea of how long the appointment will take also helps them to remain calm.

Another way to reduce anxiety is to establish a signal with your dentist that means you want them to stop. Raising your hand is a common preference. This helps give patients a sense of control, knowing they can pause to catch their breath at any time.

Block Out the Noise

For some, the worst part about the dentist is the sounds. Many find that high-pitched noises from dental tools make them feel tense or anxious.

To combat this, feel free to bring your earphones so you can relax with your favorite music. Or if you prefer peace, our practice in Arlington, TX provides noise-canceling earphones.

Medical Solutions

Dental phobia is an irrational fear, so simply communicating won't alleviate severe anxiety. In these cases, there are two medical options available to you.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a very tame medical solution. By fitting a mask over the nose, you can inhale the gas to ease the anxiety of dental appointments. It gently replaces feelings of fear with relaxation.

Best of all, you'll be back to normal in just a few minutes. That means you can safely carry on with your day without any help or supervision. You can even drive yourself home!

Conscious Sedation

For more intense dental phobia, you could consider conscious sedation. By taking an oral pill beforehand, you relax your whole mind and body.

You still say conscious and able to respond to commands. But you'll feel calm for the duration of the visit. It's so relaxing that many don't even remember the appointment.

As this is a stronger sedative, you will require some help for the rest of the day. But by the next morning, you'll be back to normal!

What Not to Do

The four tactics above can help to reduce all levels of anxiety. That means you'll be taking more regular trips to the dentist, keeping your teeth in good condition!

But some common approaches don't help to relieve the fear of the dentist, which we suggest you avoid.

The worst of these is rewarding yourself for going to the dentist. This strategy doesn't help to calm your fears. Rather, you're bribing yourself to do something you're still anxious about.

The reward method will not help with dental anxiety! This is especially true in children.

If at all possible, avoid rewarding children for a trip to the dentist. Attaching a reward makes the appointment seem like a bigger deal than it is. While it might help get them there the first couple of times, it can worsen anxiety long term.

Visit a Dentist You Can Trust

A dentist who cares about your well-being will do everything possible to calm your dental anxiety. That's why each of our care rooms has a relaxing view of nature.

If you prefer some distraction, every room also has a TV so you can watch your favorite movies! 

We even provide eye masks, stress balls, pillows, blankets, and magazines. Whatever you need to relax during your appointment, we're here to help.

If you're looking for the best dentist in Arlington TX, you've found the right place. Talk to us today to book your next appointment!