Afraid of the dentist? How we help nervous patients

You are not the only one

Does your heart beat fast in the waiting room? Many people feel the same. Cleveland Clinic says about 36% of people in the U.S. have some fear of dental care. About 12% have an extreme fear. Many are strong adults who had one bad visit years ago.

The reasons make sense. Maybe a visit hurt in the past. Maybe you feel out of control lying back with your mouth open. Maybe you feel embarrassed about your teeth, or about how long it has been. None of this makes you a bad patient. It just tells us how to care for you better.

The real risk is staying away. Small problems that are easy to fix today can grow and hurt later. We want coming in to feel possible again.

Tell us, and we change the visit

The best thing you can do is simple: tell us you are nervous. Say it when you call to book. Say it again when you sit down. It is not a weakness. It changes how we work with you.

We treat every patient with kindness, care and respect. Let us ease your fears. We explain each step before we do it, and we go at your pace.

Small things that make a big difference

Cleveland Clinic suggests easy ways to feel less nervous at the dentist. These work best:

• Start with a consultation. Your first visit can be just talking and looking, with no treatment.
• Book an early visit. We open at 8 AM, so you have less time to worry.
• Bring a friend or family member with you.
• Agree on a stop signal, like raising your hand, for a short break.
• Breathe slowly and deeply before and during the visit.
• Picture a calm place, like the beach at Matheson Hammock on a quiet morning.
• Ask every question you have. That is what the extra time is for.

Time is part of the comfort

Feeling rushed makes fear worse. That is one reason our routine cleanings take a full hour with our hygienists. There is time to stop, breathe, ask and go on. Kenny Brocard, RDH, is known for her gentle touch. Cristina Dominguez, RDH, has 33 years of experience.

Technology helps too. We use digital X-rays. For implants and veneers, we scan your teeth with a small scanner. There are no old trays of goop and no gagging. Dr. Huber has practiced in South Florida for over 45 years. Patients love his gentle, warm manner.

Afraid of a root canal? Here is what to expect

A root canal removes infected tissue from inside a tooth. The name scares many people, but the real thing is much easier. Cleveland Clinic says that with modern numbing, it usually hurts no more than a filling. You may feel pressure during it and mild soreness after. Most people recover in less than a week.

We numb the tooth and the area before we start. Many people feel relief after, because the pain they came in with is gone. Your dentist explains what to expect first.

Start with a talk, not a treatment

Has it been years? The hardest part is the phone call. After that, your first visit can be just an exam, X-rays and a talk. You see the plan before we change any tooth. There is no rush to decide.

We have served South Florida from the Kendall Mall since 1973. Call 305-271-1421, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Tell us how you feel, and we will take it from there.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: my.clevelandclinic.org, my.clevelandclinic.org, my.clevelandclinic.org.