Dental Anxiety Northridge, CA
Solutions to dental anxiety come in many forms. When left untreated, many dental problems only get worse. We can help empower patients with dental anxiety to take the necessary action to treat their underlying conditions.
Solutions to dental anxiety are available at Kidz Dental Home in Northridge and the surrounding area. Fear should never get in the way of your health. Call us at (818) 477-4083 to learn more and schedule an appointment today.
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What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a term used to describe feelings of fear, anxiety, or stress associated with visiting a dentist or undergoing a dental procedure. The Adult Dental Health Survey (2009) found that 12% of adults had extreme dental anxiety, while over a third (36%) had moderate dental anxiety. These feelings are quite common because of fear or trauma related to certain triggers, such as needles, drills, or the dental setting in general, that are brought on in early childhood. However, dental anxiety and phobias are often the result of avoiding crucial dental appointments and can significantly affect oral health.
Dental Anxiety or Dental Phobia
The terms dental anxiety and dental phobia are often used interchangeably, although they have a few slight differences. Dental phobia refers to an irrational fear that prohibits an individual from visiting a dentist or who may incur severe physical and mental symptoms when at the dentist. Some of these symptoms include sweating, racing heartbeat, crying, panic, and withdrawal. Patients with severe dental anxiety or phobia are generally advised to seek psychological help as their anxiety may be related to a more serious condition.
“However, dental anxiety and dental phobia are often the result of avoiding crucial dental appointments and can significantly affect oral health.”
Causes of Dental Anxiety
Kids and young adults can have dental anxiety. A multitude of factors may contribute to someone's unease at the prospect of being in the dentist's chair, including but not limited to fear of anesthesia, fear of injections, fear of pain, feelings of embarrassment, and feelings of helplessness.
All of the above are valid reasons to be anxious. Still, they do not have to overtake a patient's dental experience. Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management. At Kidz Dental Home, we believe communication is key to a successful dentist-patient relationship.
“Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management.”
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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Sedation & Dental Anxiety
Some patients with more severe dental anxiety may require more intensive management measures. These include:
- Relative Analgesia: Also known as “laughing gas,” relative analgesia consists of patients receiving a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a mask fitted to their face. This treatment is quick to take effect and also quick to wear off. Patients remain awake but feel relaxed for the procedure.
- Anxiety Medication: Typically, anxiety medication for dental anxiety comes in the form of a pill. It may be prescribed either by a dentist or a doctor. The patient will take a single, short-acting dose about one hour before their dental appointment.
- Conscious Sedation: Conscious sedation is a form of intravenous (IV) sedation administered either by a sedation dentist or an anesthetist. Patients under conscious sedation may drift off into a light sleep, making this known as “twilight sedation.”
- General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is the most intensive form of sedation, administered through a combination of IV medication and inhaled gases. Patients are put fully to sleep and will require pre- and post-operative visits.
Not all forms of sedation are appropriate for everyone or every dental procedure. Our qualified team works closely with our patients to take the proper measures to provide the most comfortable experience possible.
“Some patients with more severe dental anxiety may require more intensive management measures.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What causes dental anxiety?
Q. Can I be sedated for my dental anxiety?
Q. How can I cope with dental anxiety or phobia?
Q. What is dental anxiety in children?
People Also Ask
Q. What happens during a dental check-up?
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Q. What coping with dental anxiety and phobia strategies are available?
Dental Anxiety in Children
Dental fear and anxiety are most common in young children, with an increased prevalence in children aged 7 to 9. The study found that children with dental anxiety or phobia were more likely to acquire new carious lesions, experience toothaches, and require extractions. Parents play an important role in keeping children calm and helping them understand the importance of oral health. Avoid sharing too many details about their treatment or what they should expect.
Pediatric and family dentists are especially trained in explaining dental procedures in a calm, friendly, and simple manner. They can also provide certain strategies that they find works for their young patients. A kid-friendly dentist usually informs children about dental tools and injections and often lets them touch safe ones to ease their discomfort. Parents of children with dental anxiety or phobia should relay their concerns with the dentist on the first visit to keep them aware for all subsequent visits.
“…children with dental anxiety or phobia were more likely to acquire new carious lesions, experience toothaches, and require extractions.”
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 children 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
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