Chapter 15

  1. Dental Health: Beautiful Teeth for Life

336. Ways to Relieve Dental Anxiety


If you dread going to the dentist, ask about anxiety-reducing techniques you can use to help stay calm and relaxed. Some effective strategies follow.

  1. •Tell your dentist how you feel. Some dentists are trained in systematic desensitization, a technique to help anxious patients overcome fear of dental procedures.

  2. •Ask if you can listen to soothing music or relaxation tapes or CDs played on a stereo headset. Some dentists provide this option as a part of their services.

  3. •If your dentist is skilled at hypnosis, consider being hypnotized.

  4. •If your anxiety is more than you can handle, see a psychotherapist who specializes in treating dental anxiety and other phobias.


Have a routine cleaning and checkup every six months. Preventive care will minimize the need for more painful and lengthy treatment.