Many people seem to have an irrational fear of going to the dentist, and it isn't just children who have this fear. While dental work in past years was painful and seemed to take forever, modern dentistry has changed all that. Many procedures that once took a few hours can now be done in less than an hour, with little to no pain. If you have avoided visiting a dentist due to intense fears, it is time that you do something about those fears. Here are some things that you can do to help you overcome all of your dental fears so you can visit the dentist and maintain a healthy smile.

Get To Know The Dentist

Many dentists will offer free consultations. These visits do not involve any dental work, and in many cases, no examinations are involved either. This is just a chance to talk to the dentist and let them know that you have fears. They will talk to you about the various procedures they do. For instance, if you are going to go for a dental checkup, the dentist will let you know exactly what will take place before you make the appointment. You can also ask them to explain the different types of tools they use. The more you get used to talking to your dentist, and the more you understand the procedures and tools used, the sooner your fears will begin to be erased.

No-Pain Dentistry

If you do need to have serious dental work done, one of your biggest fears will likely be the pain involved. Ask your dentist if he or she uses sedation dentistry. This involves using various types of sedation methods to either make you completely relaxed, or even go to sleep, during the procedure. You will not feel any pain while the dentist is working on your teeth. Some forms of sedation dentistry include mild sedatives, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and IV sedation. When you have a procedure done with one of these forms of sedation, you will find that the getting through it is a breeze, and it will lessen your dental fears.

Block Out Noises

Often, the thing that terrifies people most about visiting the dentist is the sound of the drill. In fact, some people are bothered just hearing it being used on other patients. While you are in the waiting room, pop your earbuds in and listen to your favorite music to block out the sound of the drill. Many dentists will offer patients headphones so they can relax and listen to music without hearing the drill as it is being used on their teeth.