Is it common to be scared of the dentist?
Yes, very common. Most people feel some tension before going to the dentist, and dental phobia severe enough to make people postpone or avoid appointments is reported in about 1–2 out of 10 adults, though the figures vary by study. In the treatment room I often hear, “I was too embarrassed to say anything,” but it's nothing to be ashamed of.
The problem is that treatment grows while you put it off out of fear. When a small cavity becomes a root canal treatment, or gum inflammation leads to extraction, treatment becomes longer and more uncomfortable.
Why is the dentist so scary?
Knowing the cause shows you how to cope. Usually one or more of the following overlap.
- Past painful experiences: memories from childhood in particular last a long time.
- A feeling of having no control: lying down with your mouth open, not knowing what's happening.
- Sounds, smells, vibration: just hearing the instruments makes your body stiffen.
- Injections and gagging: fear of needles, and the gag reflex when impressions or instruments touch the throat.
- Worry about being scolded: embarrassment about showing the inside of your mouth after not going for a long time.
Do dental anesthesia injections hurt a lot?
Mostly it's just a sting, and it can be reduced further with a topical anesthetic applied before the injection and by injecting the anesthetic slowly. The pressure when the anesthetic goes in quickly accounts for much of the pain, so speed matters.
Teeth with severe inflammation sometimes don't numb as well. If it hurts during treatment, don't endure it — give a signal. More anesthetic can be given, or we can take a short break. Whether anesthesia works well is a matter of conditions, not of how much you can endure.
How should someone who is scared go to the dentist?
The key is to break it into small steps and know what to expect beforehand.
- Say so when booking: if you let us know in advance that you're “very scared of the dentist,” more time can be set aside.
- Consultation only on the first day: you can just have an examination and hear the explanation, and do treatment next time.
- Agree on a stop signal: agree that raising your left hand means stop. Just knowing you can stop at any time greatly reduces tension.
- Proceed with explanations: ask to be told the next step in advance, like “Water is coming now” or “There will be vibration.”
- Start with easy treatments: first build up the experience of “that was better than I thought” with short treatments like scaling or a small cavity.
- A time when you feel well: come on a day when you've slept enough, after a light meal.
When is sedation or sleep dentistry needed?
It is considered when anxiety is so severe that treatment is hard to start even with the methods above, or when a long surgery is needed. Sedation, which uses medication to ease tension, is often done while you remain conscious, and it is different from general anesthesia. The methods offered and safety standards vary by dental clinic, so ask at the consultation whether it's available and whether you need someone to accompany you.
If it's severe enough to interfere with daily life, cognitive behavioral therapy from a psychiatrist is known to help with dental phobia.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
When you tell me you're scared of the dentist, I first show you the examination results and explain what is urgent and what can wait. Telling you that non-urgent treatment doesn't have to be done right away is also part of my job (Why I tell you when treatment isn't needed). During treatment, we agree on a stop signal, and I tell you what I'm doing at each step as we go.
Frequently asked questions
I gag a lot — can I still have impressions or treatment?
If you tell us in advance that you have a gag reflex, we can adjust your position, breathing, and the amount of material, and most procedures can go ahead. Breathing slowly through your nose helps. If the reflex is very strong, we do it in stages.
I'm embarrassed about the state of my mouth because I haven't been in a long time.
Dentists evaluate the condition of your mouth, not you as a person. The longer you've put it off, the more coming in now is the earliest possible time. If you tell us honestly about your condition, it's easier to make a plan.
Can't I just go when it hurts?
By the time it hurts, the decay has often progressed close to the nerve, so treatment is bigger and anesthesia may not work as well. Checkups and scaling when there's no pain actually make for a less scary experience. If you have urgent pain, see What to do when a toothache is severe.
