DENTAL ANXIETY & FEAR

If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are not alone. There are more than 30 million other people with the same anxiety. Some are so terrified, they can’t even consider seeing a dentist. We don’t want anxiety or fear to prevent you from maintaining your teeth and gums in excellent condition. We have developed the best medical support to enable you to obtain the cleanings, exams and treatment needed to keep your teeth healthy. 


You may already know that your overall health is closely related to the health of your teeth and gums. That’s a prime reason it’s vital to keep your teeth in good shape. But neglect of your dental health may have other harmful effects. Those who have let their teeth deteriorate until they are visibly damaged may be too embarrassed to smile. That hurts their self-confidence and enjoyment of life. They may also be uncomfortable showing their teeth to a dentist or hygienist. You should have no worries on that point when you come to us. We understand this problem and all we want to do is help you from this point forward. 


Our intention is making high-quality dental care available to every person in our community. When it’s needed, we will provide the  support you need to alleviate your concerns and your pain. We aim to make every visit as comfortable and positive as possible. We will take your needs, your overall physical condition and any other medications you might be taking into account and plan the safest, most effective solutions for pain and fearfulness. 

Ways You Can Improve the Experience

There are actually several things you can do to help you relax during your treatment. Take a look at this list and see what you think will help. 

Don’t forget to communicate:

We need to know about your fears so we can help you with them. It may not be the easiest conversation to initiate, but be assured, we have been through this with many, many patients. We just need to know what concerns you most so we can let you know what solutions we have available. Are you afraid of the drill? The dentist? The pain? The sounds? Talk to us. 

Bring Music:

Many people like to bring some kind of portable music player and they choose the music that will help them tune out treatment noises and focus their attention on positive emotions. 

Agree on a signal:

 If you are in discomfort, we want to know so we can adjust the treatment or your anesthetics. Tell us what “stop” hand signal you want to use—like raising your hand or tapping the chair. This is very important.

Are you concerned about gagging?:

If you tend to gag during dental treatment, try using a throat spray before your appointment. Two or three sprays of a product like Vicks® Chloraseptic® Throat Spray will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.

Bring a mirror with you:

For some people, being able to see their treatment enables them to feel more in control of the process. If you feel this will help, bring a handheld mirror with you. 

Alternative treatments may be available:

Advances in technology mean that there are many new options for drilling, whitening, removing stains and treating gum problems. Ask us what advanced alternatives might be available for your treatment program.
If you are already our patient or you may be coming to us for the first time, call us to discuss your concerns and your choices for your future dental care.