Going to the dentist can often be a source of anxiety for children and adults alike - it's generally perceived as painful and boring, while also often evoking negative memories of unpleasant treatments received in the past. No matter how qualified the dental care provider or how familiar the patient may be with him or her, these feelings can sometimes be difficult to overcome through sheer force of will alone. Nearly fifteen percent of Americans experience some sort of dental phobia, so rest assured, no matter what your hang-up is, you are far from alone.

There are many signs and symptoms which may indicate that you experience undue stress in association with going to the dentist's. Some patients report  difficulty falling asleep the night before they will have to make an appearance in the office; most people in this category will avoid making an appointment at all costs,  reserving the dreaded task as a last resort for only the most severe pain or injury. When the time does come for a visit, the apprehension grows as the time of contention draws forward, usually beginning as an overall feeling of nervousness, and in some cases escalating to physical symptoms such as crying, vomiting, or becoming a full-on panic attack. In most cases, if not all of them, the individual will be able to consciously recognize and articulate the fact that their fears are completely irrational and unfounded, but still struggle to overcome them despite this conscious awareness. This can have many adverse effects on the oral health of the patient, as less frequent dental appointments do not put your dentist in a position to help ward off and diagnose potential problems before they become too severe to treat conventionally.

From the perspective of the anxiety-ridden, it can be difficult to look beyond the viscerally-perceived threat brought about by the underlying origin of the fear, but there are many proven methods of dealing with dental anxiety that can be used to ease the sense of dread that comes with going to the dentist. First, foremost, and highly recommended: express your feelings candidly and honestly with your dental care provider, preferably at a time when you are not about to head in for an appointment. Giving them a call or shooting them an email on the topic will help them be aware of the problem and will enable them to do as much on their end as possible to reduce any anxiety-inducing factors within their control. They may recommend one of several calming practices, such as breathing deeply, listening to music, or having somebody hold their hand while treatment takes place. Avoiding sugary food and caffeine before your appointment will inhibit the release of anxiety-related compounds in the brain; asking for a numbing agent may also limit anxiety by weakening the physical experience of being worked on.