Dental Anxiety Strategies
Practical ways to get through an appointment when the dentist genuinely scares you.
Say it out loud
Telling us you are anxious changes how we run the appointment: slower pace, more explanation, more check-ins. It is the single most useful thing you can do.
Agree on a stop signal
A raised hand that always stops the procedure immediately gives you back control, and control is what anxiety takes away.
Book smart
Morning appointments mean less time spent dreading it. Bring headphones and your own music or a podcast.
Consider sedation
Nitrous oxide leaves you relaxed and awake, and wears off in minutes. Oral sedation handles deeper fear for longer appointments.
Start small
If it has been years, begin with a conversation and an exam. Nothing gets done that day unless you decide to.
Written by the team at Uptown Dentistry, led by Dr. Nicki Tajalli, DDS, in Uptown Houston. This article is general information, not a substitute for an exam.