Pain-Free Dentistry for Dental Anxiety Miami, FL
Dental anxiety is a fairly common term used to describe patients of all ages who are anxious about visiting the dentist. Although many people experience this at least once in their lives, especially as young children, it can become a problem for both oral and general health. Understanding what dental anxiety and dental phobia are and how to control them can greatly boost health levels, helping to reverse the scenario so that you or your child enjoy visiting the dentist.
Information on dental anxiety is available at Feel Good Dentistry in Miami and the surrounding area. We can help you better understand the treatments we offer and how each procedure goes. This can reduce anxiety levels or completely obliterate them. Call us today at (305) 230-4484 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Understanding Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, is a condition in which patients have a debilitating fear of the dentist. People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it. They may be so panic-stricken by the prospect of seeing the dentist that they will only go when forced by extreme pain. Other common signs of dental anxiety include:
- Escalating feelings of nervousness in a dentist’s waiting room
- Feelings of intense unease at the thought of a dentist placing objects in the mouth during treatment
- Physical reactions at the thought of visiting the dentist
- Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment
At times, dental anxiety may get severe enough to be considered pathological. Patients who find that their dental anxiety severely impedes their normal functioning may benefit from psychiatric treatment.
“People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it.”
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 and Phobia
Dental anxiety and phobia is treatable through various management techniques and the guidance of a friendly dentist. Our goal is to help patients determine the most effective course of action for their However, patients who continue to experience symptoms can use coping strategies to help reduce anxiety levels and continue essential dental treatments. The American Dental Association (ADA) lists a few coping strategies that can help with dental anxiety or phobia:
- Speak up. Help the dentist understand what the patient is feeling or experiencing, ask questions about the treatment or procedure, agree on a stop signal, and communicate any needs (more or a different type of anesthesia, etc.).
- Distract yourself. The patient can divert their thoughts by doing something they enjoy during treatment; play music in their headphones, listen to a podcast, play with a stress ball, or imagine they are in a place they love.
- Choose mindfulness. Use breathing techniques that slow heart rate and help the muscles relax, count breaths, and do a mental body scan by imagining air coming in to each part of the body, starting from the head down to the toes.
“Patients who continue to experience symptoms can use coping strategies that allow them to reduce anxiety levels and continue essential dental treatments.”
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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 ease my teenager's dental anxiety?
Q. What are the causes of dental anxiety and phobia?
Q. How can I cope with dental anxiety or phobia?
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Teenagers & Dental Anxiety
It is not uncommon for parents to experience dental anxiety on their child's behalf. Parents should maintain a calm exterior as teens may silently take cues from parents. Parents should refrain from telling patients that something will hurt or be painful, nor should they promise a reward for going to the dentist. Doing so will only cause teens to anticipate something unpleasant and act accordingly. While parents should tell their teens about any upcoming dental appointments, they should not overload them 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 teens instead.
“Parents should maintain a calm exterior as teens may silently take cues from 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 teenagers 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.
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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, license, and website security
- Feel Good Dentistry was established in 1998.
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- We serve patients from the following cities: Miami, Doral, Hialeah, Fontainebleau, Homestead, Sweetwater, Coral Gables, Kendall, South Miami, Westchester, Pinecrest, Dadeland, Coconut Grove, Palmetto Bay, and Brickell
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