Everyone knows that seeing the dentist is important, but for people with dental anxiety, it’s especially difficult because they dread going to the dentist more than anything else. If you feel stressed when you think about going to a dental office, you’re not alone. There are many different types of dental phobias. Here are five major ones:

1. Fear of Going Under & Losing Control

No ones likes to feel powerless, and for many people with dental phobias this is the most difficult part of visiting the dentist. You’re putting yourself completely in someone else’s hands. That’s why it’s important to have a good rapport with your dentist and know that you can trust them, or you can bring along a friend or family member for extra support.

2. Fear of Drilling & Loud Noises

Loud noises can be distracting at any time, let alone when the noise is coming from a piece of equipment right next to your face! To solve this problem, many people wear headphones or earplugs while they’re in the dentist’s chair, so the noise doesn’t bother them and they can relax.

3. Fear of Pain

Nobody likes pain. Unfortunately, many people associate going to the dentist with pain, which is ironic because your dentist is there to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible and doesn’t cause you any unnecessary pain.

4. Gag Reflex & Fear of Choking

For folks with a bad gag reflex, it can feel like they’re choking when the dentist puts implements in their mouth. As we all know, this is an incredibly unpleasant feeling and can cause people to fear the dentist. Sedation dentistry could help patients with sensitive gag reflexes.

5. Fear of Dental Equipment

Some people who suffer from a dental phobia think that dental equipment resembles torture devices, when in fact they are the opposite of that. On the contrary—a bad toothache or cavity can feel like torture before you have it fixed! It’s important to remember that the equipment is here to help you, not hurt you.

Remember, there are things you can do to decrease your fear or anxiety during a dental procedure. These include listening to your favorite music, taking deep breaths, asking for breaks when you need them, and staying away from caffeine the day of your appointment.