First and foremost you are not alone – 9%-15% of Americans say that they avoid the dental office out of fear. Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy smile and regular dental visits can prevent small problems from becoming big ones; here are ten suggestions that may help you overcome your anxiety.

1. Discuss your fears with the dentist – this info will help the dentist determine how to address and manage your fears. Also, by letting the dentist know exactly why the experience is difficult for you will make you feel more in control in the exam chair.

2. Dental procedures have improved greatly in the past few years – dental technologies are very different from what they were in the past. Modern dentistry offers new methods and treatment options to make you feel comfortable.

3. Ask the dentist to “walk” you through the procedure – your dentist can explain the entire procedure to you before he/she begins. You always have the right to know what work is being done on your teeth.

4. Additional medication may help you relax – many dentists recommend nitrous oxide (laughing gas), sedation or anti-anxiety medicine for very nervous patients. Find out if your dentist offers these options.

5. Find a dentists you are comfortable with and establish a trusting relationship – there are many different personalities in the dental profession. Find a dentist you feel at ease with and is willing to assist you with your fears.

6. Breathe deeply and try to relax – Some dentists recommend practicing relaxation techniques. Some dentists find that listening to music or scheduling an appointment first thing in the morning helps patients relax.

7. Ask the dentist to stop the procedure if you’re uncomfortable – Establish a signal to inform the dentist to stop – this puts you in control of the procedure and alerts the dentist that you are uncomfortable on you need to take a little break.

8. Visit the dentist regularly to prevent problems – even though a simple check-up may be frightening, the more you go to the dentist for routine check-ups the less likely you will have to spend long hours in the dental chair taking care of large, expensive problems.

9. Visit the office and talk with staff before your first appointment – feel free to meet with the dentist before scheduling your appointment. Meeting the dentist and staff will help you find a dentist you like and trust.

10. Go slow – make your first visit a simple one, such as a cleaning. This will help you build your relationship with the dentist before the more difficult procedure.

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