Dental Anxiety Houston, TX
Solutions to dental anxiety come in many forms. When left untreated, many dental problems only get worse. We can help empower patients with dental anxiety to take the necessary action to treat their underlying conditions.
Solutions to dental anxiety are available at Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles in Houston and the surrounding area. Fear should never get in the way of your health. Call us at (713) 979-4127 to learn more and schedule an appointment today.
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 Google: Dental Anxiety in Houston, 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. How can I ease my child's dental anxiety?
Q. What are the causes of dental anxiety and phobia?
People Also Ask
Q. What happens during a dental check-up?
Q. How can someone know what type of dental provider they need?
Q. What should I look for in a dental provider?
Q. What factors should people consider when choosing a dental insurance plan?
Q. Who should see a sedation dentist?
Q. What other resources are available to me while searching for a new dentist?
Children & Dental Anxiety
It is not uncommon for parents to experience dental anxiety on their child's behalf. Parents should maintain a calm exterior as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents. Parents should refrain from telling their children that something will hurt or be painful, nor should they promise a reward for going to the dentist. Doing so will only cause children to anticipate something unpleasant and act accordingly. While parents should tell their children about any upcoming dental appointments, they should not overload their child with too much detail about what to expect. Dentists have received the training to give simple, non-threatening answers. Parents should prioritize stressing the importance of dental hygiene to their children instead.
“Parents should maintain a calm exterior … as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents.”
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 common is dental anxiety in children and adults?
A. According to a 2014 study, "Dental anxiety, or dental fear, is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear." Dental anxiety affects people of all ages and backgrounds for various reasons.
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
- Midtown Dental – The Gallery of Smiles was established in 2001.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Harris County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Aldine, Missouri City, Pasadena, Fresno and Baytown
- National Provider Identifier Database (1881807758). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles on mobile
Back to top of Dental Anxiety
Related Posts
What Causes Dental Anxiety
The fear of going to the dentist has long been a trope used in almost every medium of popular culture, but dental anxiety is a real problem for many people. An excessive nervousness or apprehension that builds before a dental appointment is not uncommon among many Americans. Even those who do not consider themselves to…
Understanding Sedation Dentistry: How It Can Improve Your Dental Experience
Sedation dentistry is a viable option for patients seeking a more relaxed and comfortable experience during dental procedures. Using various sedation techniques, dentists can help alleviate anxiety, minimize discomfort, and ensure that treatments are completed efficiently. This form of dentistry is beneficial for individuals with dental fears, sensitive teeth, or a need for extensive dental…
4 Things Your Dental Practice Wants You To Know About Oral Hygiene
Just about every patient who visits a dental practice will leave with a few tips about oral hygiene. Dental professionals can be a valuable resource for how to keep the mouth healthy and can talk at length about oral hygiene. Here are four things a dentist may want you to know about how to care…
What To Expect When Visiting A Dental Office For The First Time
Visiting a new dental office can be a daunting experience, especially for those unsure of what to expect during their first appointment. Whether you seek general, cosmetic, or pediatric dental care, understanding what happens during a first visit can help reduce anxiety and ensure a smooth experience. A dental office visit typically includes an initial…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles on mobile
