Easing Dental Anxiety: What Works and What Doesn’t

Easing Dental Anxiety: What Works and What Doesnt

Heather Martinson • December 9, 2022

Around 46% of people experience some sort of fear or apprehension over going to the dentist.

Reasons vary from embarrassment to fear of needles. But if you allow yourself to avoid the dentist for too long, it can be detrimental to your teeth. Existing problems worsen, and new ones creep into the picture.

Even if you experience dental anxiety, it's important to get yourself to an appointment.

Thankfully, there are lots of ways to ease dental anxiety. These tips and tricks make a trip to the dentist far less intimidating, and let you go more regularly.

Read on to learn more about dental anxiety, as well as which tips do and don't help you combat it.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is a light to moderate fear of going to the dentist. Those who experience dental anxiety can even struggle to sleep the night before a visit. The most commonly listed reasons include the fear of anesthesia not working and the fear of pain.

Dental Phobia

Even more severe is a dental phobia. Only affecting about 3-4% of people, dental phobia is an irrational fear of the dentist. Though the patient knows that their fear is irrational, it doesn't help them overcome it.

The Problem With Dental Anxiety

However, dental anxiety is a vicious circle.

Those who go to the dentist regularly allow their dentist to keep on top of their oral health. As soon as an issue arises, it can be dealt with. No infections or similar problems have time to worsen.

When you suffer from dental anxiety though, you may want to avoid the dentist. You'll likely book appointments less regularly, if at all.

But that means your teeth can get worse!

All the time spent avoiding the dentist gives any dental issues time to take root. So when you do eventually visit, perhaps due to severe pain, you'll need more serious dental services.

What Can Help With Dental Anxiety?

More intensive dental treatment like that is often the source of dental anxiety. But if you visit more regularly, you'll likely avoid such serious issues! That's why it's so important to overcome dental anxiety.

Simple Tricks

The first set of solutions is simple tricks that require no medical attention. This will likely make a difference for most people with light to moderate dental fear.

Clear Communication

The simplest solution to many people's anxiety is clear communication. A better understanding of what your dentist will do and why can make people feel less nervous. Many find that having a clear idea of how long the appointment will take also helps them to remain calm.

Another way to reduce anxiety is to establish a signal with your dentist that means you want them to stop. Raising your hand is a common preference. This helps give patients a sense of control, knowing they can pause to catch their breath at any time.

Block Out the Noise

For some, the worst part about the dentist is the sounds. Many find that high-pitched noises from dental tools make them feel tense or anxious.

To combat this, feel free to bring your earphones so you can relax with your favorite music. Or if you prefer peace, our practice in Arlington, TX provides noise-canceling earphones.

Medical Solutions

Dental phobia is an irrational fear, so simply communicating won't alleviate severe anxiety. In these cases, there are two medical options available to you.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a very tame medical solution. By fitting a mask over the nose, you can inhale the gas to ease the anxiety of dental appointments. It gently replaces feelings of fear with relaxation.

Best of all, you'll be back to normal in just a few minutes. That means you can safely carry on with your day without any help or supervision. You can even drive yourself home!

Conscious Sedation

For more intense dental phobia, you could consider conscious sedation. By taking an oral pill beforehand, you relax your whole mind and body.

You still say conscious and able to respond to commands. But you'll feel calm for the duration of the visit. It's so relaxing that many don't even remember the appointment.

As this is a stronger sedative, you will require some help for the rest of the day. But by the next morning, you'll be back to normal!

What Not to Do

The four tactics above can help to reduce all levels of anxiety. That means you'll be taking more regular trips to the dentist, keeping your teeth in good condition!

But some common approaches don't help to relieve the fear of the dentist, which we suggest you avoid.

The worst of these is rewarding yourself for going to the dentist. This strategy doesn't help to calm your fears. Rather, you're bribing yourself to do something you're still anxious about.

The reward method will not help with dental anxiety! This is especially true in children.

If at all possible, avoid rewarding children for a trip to the dentist. Attaching a reward makes the appointment seem like a bigger deal than it is. While it might help get them there the first couple of times, it can worsen anxiety long term.

Visit a Dentist You Can Trust

A dentist who cares about your well-being will do everything possible to calm your dental anxiety. That's why each of our care rooms has a relaxing view of nature.

If you prefer some distraction, every room also has a TV so you can watch your favorite movies!

We even provide eye masks, stress balls, pillows, blankets, and magazines. Whatever you need to relax during your appointment, we're here to help.

If you're looking for the best dentist in Arlington TX, you've found the right place. Talk to us today to book your next appointment!

< Older Post Newer Post >

Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.