Dr. Acosta and a team member in the hallway at Broadway Dentistry in Fort Wayne, which offers TMJ bite guards and sleep apnea care

Dental Anxiety and Fear

Fear of dental appointments is a common cause of anxiety, but the reality is very different from the drill-wielding stereotype. Your comfort and relaxation are the focus of any good dental practice, and our staff will do whatever we can to ease your fears and keep treatment quick and painless.

Common dental fears

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Embarrassment about the condition of your teeth
Gagging
Injections
Loss of control
Not becoming numb after a Novocain injection
Pain
The dentist as a person
The hand piece (the drill)

Dr. Acosta reviewing a patient chart with her team at Broadway Dentistry, a general dentistry office in Fort Wayne, Indiana

How can I overcome dental anxiety?

As many as 35 million people are estimated to avoid the dentist entirely out of fear. Yet regular dental check-ups and cleanings are the easiest way to maintain excellent oral hygiene and avoid more complex treatment. These tips can help:

Talk to usWe can’t read minds, but if you tell us about your fears we can take extra precautions.
Bring musicCalming music relaxes you and drowns out fear-producing noises.
Agree on a signalA “stop” signal, such as raising a hand or tapping the chair, lets us know if you’re in pain.
Spray the throatA throat spray such as Vicks® Chloraseptic® can control the gag reflex for about an hour with two or three sprays.
Take a mirrorWatching the procedure keeps your imagination from running wild.

If you have questions or concerns about how we can help you overcome anxiety and fear, please contact our office.