Dental Anxiety: How To Make Visits Less Stressful

If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your heart race or palms sweat, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety affects millions of Americans, both children and adults. Whether it’s from a past uncomfortable experience, fear of pain or simply the unknown, feeling nervous before a dental visit is common. And it’s something that should be taken very seriously.

Our mission is to improve the oral health of all. As part of this, we want to make sure every patient feels safe, respected and in control throughout their dental care journey. With the right support, education and compassionate care, anyone can build a healthy relationship with their oral health. Even if they've experienced dental trauma in the past.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety refers to feelings of fear, stress or unease associated with visiting the dentist. It can range from mild nervousness before a routine exam to a more severe phobia that causes people to avoid dental care altogether. As isolating as this can feel, up to 36% of the population experiences some form of dental anxiety, and roughly 12% suffer from extreme dental fear, or dentophobia. 

Ignoring dental anxiety can lead to missed appointments and untreated dental issues, which often escalate into more serious and costly problems. At Advantage Dental+, we believe that no one should feel ashamed or alone in their fear.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

There are many potential causes of dental anxiety, including:

• Past negative experiences with dentists or procedures.
• Fear of pain or side effects from treatment.
• Feelings of helplessness or loss of control in the dental chair.
• Embarrassment about the condition of one’s teeth or oral hygiene.
• Sensory sensitivities, like the sounds of dental tools or bright lights.
• Negative stories or media portrayals that influence public perception.

Children may also become fearful simply because the environment is unfamiliar or they’ve absorbed anxiety from parents or caregivers.

How Advantage Dental+ Helps Ease Dental Anxiety

We prioritize patient comfort every step of the way. Our team members are trained to recognize anxiety, offer reassurance and provide personalized care that makes patients feel safe and heard.

1. Comforting Environment

Our practices are designed to feel welcoming and calm. Soft lighting, relaxing music and gentle staff interactions all contribute to a low-stress environment.

2. Personalized Treatment Options

For patients with moderate to severe anxiety, we offer several sedation dentistry options. Your dentist will walk you through every option to determine what’s best for you depending on your medical history and comfort level

3. Gradual Care Approach

We start with a short, non-invasive appointment, like a cleaning or consultation before progressing to more complex procedures. Building trust over time can make all the difference.

4. Distractions and Comfort Aids

Blankets may be available in some of our practices. We also recommend considering bringing headphones to your appointment so you can listen to music. These small additions can help distract your mind and soothe your senses.

5. Clear, Compassionate Communication

Open dialogue is key. We encourage you to ask questions, express concerns and work with us to create a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Coping Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety

Here are some techniques you can use before and during your appointment:

• Deep breathing or guided meditation before your visit.
• Visualization techniques like imagining yourself in a calm, happy place of your choice.
• Schedule visits at a time you feel most relaxed, such as early morning.
• Agree on a sign with your dentist to pause treatment if needed; the more informed and in control you feel, the easier it is to manage dental anxiety.

Helping Kids Feel Safe at the Dentist

Children often model the behaviors and emotions of their caregivers. If you appear anxious, your child may become anxious too. Our pediatric care teams are all highly skilled at helping kids feel safe and confident in the dental chair.

Tips for Parents to Reduce Dental Anxiety in Children

Here are five ways to prepare your child for a positive experience:

• Use kid-friendly language when describing what will happen. Avoid words like "pain" or "shot." Instead, say things like “Discomfort” or “Sleepy juice”. (“Reinforce positive aspects of the visit like: “After cleaning, your teeth will sparkle.”
• Time the visit wisely: Try to schedule appointments outside of naptime or avoid visits right after school if your child is tired. Pick a time when they’re typically rested and in a good mood.
• Feed a light meal beforehand, unless fasting is required for the visit. Hungry kids tend to be more sensitive or cranky.
• Stay calm if your child gets upset. Let the dental team take the lead in managing emotions and be a supportive presence. The team is trained to handle anxiety and allowing the child to interact with them directly may enhance their independence and confidence.
• Praise and reward bravery for small steps like sitting in the chair or opening their mouth. Reinforcing that bravery helps build long-term trust and Positive early dental experiences are key to building lifelong oral health habits.

Reclaim Your Smile with Confidence

Dental anxiety is nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether it’s your first visit in years or your child’s very first appointment, our team will meet you with empathy and support. You’ll always be treated with respect, and we’ll work together to create a stress-free path forward.

The most important thing is to start the conversation. Let us know your concerns when scheduling your appointment so we can prepare in advance and tailor your care experience.

Schedule your visit today and experience compassionate, anxiety-aware care at Advantage Dental+.