Dental anxiety (fear of the dentist) is common, and a simple plan can help: say so when you book, agree on a stop signal, ask the team to explain each step, and practice slow breathing ahead of time. If you need more support, you can ask about options such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation. When the fear is severe, cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest evidence behind it.
Being afraid does not make you weak or dramatic. It is a reaction you can learn to manage.
Free printable guide
My plan for the visit: dental anxiety: a fill-in plan, a before/during/after checklist and a short breathing exercise (3 pages, PDF).
More common than you might think. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), studies suggest that roughly 10% to 20% of people, at every age, have significant dental fear. That is about 1 or 2 in every 10.
Not all fear is the same:
The NIDCR points out that people with more fear tend to delay or skip dental care, and they have poorer oral health. If it has been years since your last visit, read what happens at your first visit after years away. This article is a plan for any visit.
Few studies have looked at exactly where dental fear comes from, but the NIDCR describes two main paths:
Add needles, drill noise, gagging, not being able to talk, or embarrassment about the state of your teeth. Your body reacts too: your heart rate and blood pressure go up and you breathe faster. That distress can lead to missed appointments (Hoffmann et al., 2022).
Sitting in the chair does not mean giving up control. You can always ask for:
When anxiety is strong, your dentist may consider other options. What is available depends on the office, the treatment and your health.
You breathe it mixed with oxygen through a small mask over your nose. You stay awake and can talk with your dentist. The ADA explains it on MouthHealthy. The AAPD guidance calls it a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety, with a fast onset and a quick recovery. It is not for everyone, though: it may not be a fit if you cannot breathe well through your nose, have certain lung conditions, are in the first trimester of pregnancy, or recently had ear surgery.
This is a pill that helps you relax. According to MedlinePlus, with conscious sedation you may doze off, but you wake up easily. That is why:
Never take a sedative on your own before a visit. And keep in mind that, according to the NIDCR, medications help in the moment but do not resolve the underlying fear.
The NCCIH (NIH) reports preliminary evidence that diaphragmatic (belly) breathing may help reduce stress, and that relaxation techniques can ease anxiety for some people.
Practice before the visit. In a study of 272 adults, handing out written breathing instructions right before treatment did not make a clear difference compared with doing nothing (Biggs et al., 2003). The authors suggest that a brand-new technique may help less than one you already know.
If you feel worse, stop and breathe normally. The NCCIH notes that relaxation techniques occasionally increase anxiety for some people.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you change the thoughts that feed the fear and face it step by step. The NIDCR calls it the current standard of care for phobias. A 2024 analysis of clinical trials found, with moderate certainty, that CBT reduces dental anxiety in adults, and it also helps with dental phobia (Steenen et al., 2024). An earlier analysis reached a similar conclusion, with lower-quality evidence (Wide Boman et al., 2013).
Talk with your doctor if:
Keep in mind: a panic attack can cause chest pain and shortness of breath, and it can be mistaken for a heart attack (MedlinePlus). If you have chest pain and are not sure why, call 911.
Do not wait until something really hurts. Book a visit if:
When not to wait: if your face is swollen or you have a fever, call your dentist the same day. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the emergency room. More in dental emergency in Kendall: what to do.
PureSmile Miami opens on November 2, 2026, at 8000 SW 117th Ave, Suite 100, in Kendall. If you feel nervous about the dentist, tell us when you call. At your first visit, our dentist explains each step before doing it, agrees on a stop signal with you and walks you through your X-rays. We see patients in English or Spanish, verify your insurance for free and give you a written treatment plan before we start.
Join the waitlist or call us at (305) 787-3642.
Yes. According to the NIDCR, roughly 10% to 20% of people have significant dental fear. When it is strong enough that you avoid visits, it is called dental phobia or odontophobia.
Make a plan: say so when you book, agree on a stop signal, ask for each step to be explained and practice breathing at home. If the fear is severe, cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest support.
Medications that help you relax during treatment, such as nitrous oxide or a pill. Whether it is right for you depends on your health and the office. With oral sedation, someone must drive you home.
No. It relaxes you, but you stay awake and can talk with your dentist. The effect wears off soon after the mask comes off.
Do not take anything on your own. If you think you need it, talk with your doctor and your dentist before the visit.
General information; not a substitute for an in-person evaluation. Sources: NIDCR; NIH Record; MedlinePlus; NCCIH; American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD, 2024); MouthHealthy (ADA); Steenen et al. (J Anxiety Disord, 2024); Wide Boman et al. (Eur J Oral Sci, 2013); Maia et al. (Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2022); Hoffmann et al. (Aust Dent J, 2022); Biggs et al. (J Dent Hyg, 2003). Yoan Suárez Zayas, DMD · FL Lic. DN 21413.
