Dental Anxiety Lewisville, TX
Dental anxiety is a fairly common term used to describe patients of all ages who are anxious about visiting the dentist. Although many people experience this at least once in their lives, it can become a problem for both oral and general health. Understanding what dental anxiety and dental phobia are and how to control them can greatly boost health levels, helping to reverse the scenario so that you enjoy visiting the dentist.
Information on dental anxiety is available at Prairie Creek Dental in Lewisville and the surrounding area. We can help you better understand the treatments we offer and how each procedure goes. This can reduce anxiety levels or completely obliterate them. Call us today at (972) 471-9349 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a term used to describe feelings of fear, anxiety, or stress associated with visiting a dentist or undergoing a dental procedure. The Adult Dental Health Survey (2009) found that 12% of adults had extreme dental anxiety, while over a third (36%) had moderate dental anxiety. These feelings are quite common because of fear or trauma related to certain triggers, such as needles, drills, or the dental setting in general, that are brought on in early childhood. However, dental anxiety and phobias are often the result of avoiding crucial dental appointments and can significantly affect oral health.
Dental Anxiety or Dental Phobia
The terms dental anxiety and dental phobia are often used interchangeably, although they have a few slight differences. Dental phobia refers to an irrational fear that prohibits an individual from visiting a dentist or who may incur severe physical and mental symptoms when at the dentist. Some of these symptoms include sweating, racing heartbeat, crying, panic, and withdrawal. Patients with severe dental anxiety or phobia are generally advised to seek psychological help as their anxiety may be related to a more serious condition.
“However, dental anxiety and dental phobia are often the result of avoiding crucial dental appointments and can significantly affect oral health.”
Causes of Dental Anxiety and Phobia
Dental anxiety and phobia can stem from a variety of different factors. They usually tend to spark up during early childhood and stay with patients into adolescence and adulthood if kept unmanaged. While dental anxiety or phobia is often a result of genetic or behavioral reasons, there are common causes that patients have in common with these conditions.
These common causes include fear of pain, fear of injections, fear of anesthesia or its side effects, feelings of helplessness or lack of control, embarrassment, and lack of personal space. The feelings of fear can be associated with trauma-induced experiences as a child or unknowingness resulting from never trying a dental procedure. The other feelings listed relate to the self and how we feel when someone is taking charge of our body or mind. Building a strong relationship with your dental provider can greatly ease these feelings.
“…common causes include fear of pain, fear of injections, fear of anesthesia or its side effects, feelings of helplessness or lack of control, embarrassment, and lack of personal space.”
Coping with Dental Anxiety
Dealing with a dismissive dentist may only make the problem worse. Therefore, the first step to managing dental anxiety is finding the right dentist. Patients should also ask office staff about any recommended coping strategies and agree on a signal to let the dentist know if they need to take a break.
Mindfulness techniques can also help. Patients may want to try breathing exercises or doing body scans while in the dentist's chair. Others may benefit from distracting themselves by doing things like wearing headphones or occupying their hands.
Additionally, patients should let the dentist know if they are particularly sensitive to pain, even with local anesthesia. There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear. This is the only way to develop a truly individualized plan to attack one's dental anxiety.
“There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Anxiety in Lewisville, TX
Dental Sedation
There are three main types of dental anesthesia: local, general, and sedation. Local anesthesia is administered in one area, typically used for minor treatments such as cavity fillings. General anesthesia is used for longer or more complicated dental procedures such as tooth extractions and oral surgeries. This type of anesthesia is administered through a face mask or IV and keeps the patient completely unconscious during the entire treatment.
Sedation comes in many forms and has many levels (mild, moderate, and deep), depending on the severity of the patient's case. It can be administered orally, inhaled, intramuscularly (IM), or intravenously (IV). Patients with more severe dental anxiety or phobia are generally given a form of sedation so that they remain calm, comfortable, pain-free, and often asleep throughout the duration of their treatment.
“There are three main types of dental anesthesia: local, general, and sedation.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How can I cope with dental anxiety?
Q. What are the causes of dental anxiety and phobia?
People Also Ask
Q. What happens during a dental check-up?
Q. What other resources can I use to find a dentist?
Q. What factors should people consider when choosing a dental insurance plan?
Q. What coping with dental anxiety and phobia strategies are available?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can dentists help with anxiety?
A. Dentists who understand anxiety use simple techniques to keep their patients calm during treatment. For example, they may inform them about what they are feeling, will be feeling soon, and for how long. They take frequent breaks and ask the patient for permission to continue or if they would like to stop completely. They can also adjust anesthesia levels to keep the patient comfortable even after the procedure.
Q. How is severe dental anxiety treated?
A. Severe anxiety or phobia, dental or otherwise, should be properly diagnosed and treated by a certified psychologist as they can be a result of another mental disorder or condition. Also, dentists have limited training in treating dental anxiety and will only use the techniques they know. We may refer patients to a psychologist or prescribe anti-anxiety medications as needed.
Q. How do you know if you have dental anxiety?
A. The most common symptoms of dental anxiety include fear or failure of visiting a dentist, sweating, racing heartbeat, low blood pressure, crying, and withdrawal. There is a long list of common symptoms that patients may also experience.
Q. Why do I have dental anxiety if I have not experienced any pain or trauma in the past?
A. Dental anxiety can stem from a variety of different factors and can arise at any time during our lives. Some patients acquire dental anxiety as a result of a new dentist, past experiences of a friend or family member, or associated fear from online content about a procedure. In most cases, this is a mild or singular form of anxiety.
Scan here to view this page, Dental Anxiety, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
About our business and website security
- Prairie Creek Dental was established in 1985.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Denton County, Dallas County, and Tarrant Country
- We serve patients from the following cities: Lewisville, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Coppell, The Colony, Carrollton, Grapevine, Southlake, Denton and Dallas
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Prairie Creek Dental on mobile
Back to top of Dental Anxiety
Related Posts
Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Forget Your Fears
Millions of Americans do not visit the dentist due to fear, but thankfully that can be resolved with sedation dentistry. By refusing to go for your routine dental checkups, you are giving plaque the chance to accumulate on your teeth. While it is true that good home oral hygiene practices may help keep your teeth…
Is My Jaw Pain Caused By TMJ?
Want to know what symptoms are associated with TMJ? Many symptoms are linked to this commonly diagnosed jaw-related disorder, including jaw pain. However, other symptoms are important to be aware of as they can help the general dentist make a diagnosis and treatment plan. Many are surprised to learn that a general dentist can diagnose…
Reasons To Use Dental Botox®
Dental Botox® is a treatment option that many people are beginning to consider. While Botox® has traditionally been used for cosmetic purposes, recent studies have shown that it can be beneficial for treating oral problems. However, because it is relatively new to dentistry, many are curious as to what it can actually be used for.Outlined…
Smile Makeover Aftercare. Protect Your Investment
A smile makeover works best with personalized planning and commitment on the part of the patient. Protecting this investment requires proper aftercare. While the dental team delivers quality treatments, the patient needs to take good care of their smile for the results to last. By following the team's aftercare guidelines and practicing good oral hygiene,…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Prairie Creek Dental on mobile