Dental anxiety

Dental anxiety is the fear of going to see a dentist and getting dental treatment. Many people feel it, and some avoid visits because of it. Delay can raise the chance of dental problems, which can make later visits harder.

The ADA suggests three steps. Speak up about your worries, distract yourself with music or a stress ball, and use breathing exercises. Agreeing on a hand signal to pause can help you feel in control.

When anxiety is very strong it may be called dental phobia. Some patients also ask about sedation options. Town Center Dental describes its own approach on the dental anxiety management page.