Did you know that between five to eight percent of Americans don’t get the oral health care they need because of a fear of dentists? The United States Census Bureau currently estimates the population to be over 318 million, which means that at least 15.9 million people in America are suffering from fear of dentists. What’s worse is that 20% of the U.S. population, which is 63.6 million people. have such bad anxiety that they’ll only see emergency dentists when they absolutely have to.

If you suffer from a fear of dentists, it’s absolutely necessary that you do your best to face it so that you can get the care you need. Here are a few ways you can conquer your dread.

Consider Seeing a Psychologist First.

If your fear of dentists is so intense that you can’t even bear the thought of seeing one, perhaps you should consider seeing a psychologist first who can help you work through the problem. After all, they do know the most tried and true ways to conquer fears

Don’t Go Alone.

Bringing a close friend or family member with you who doesn’t share your fear of dentists to the first visit can help. It would also be great if they could even sit with you during the entire treatment.

Distract Yourself.

Bring your iPod with you and listen to some new music, so that you’ll be more interested in it and pay closer attention to the music instead of what’s going on. Some affordable dentists cater specifically to those who get nervous and anxious around dentists, and have TVs in the treatment area that can help.

Ask About Sedation.

Ask your dentist about what sedatives might be appropriate and/or available to you for a normal visit. These might include such things as IV sedation, oral sedatives, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and even local anesthetic. Just knowing that you won’t feel anything can also give you peace of mind and make things easier, even if it is just a placebo effect.

Letting your fear of dentists keep you away from the chair could be disastrous for your health. You should consider seeing a psychologist, looking up a list of dentists that cater to anxious patients, going with a friend, distracting yourself, or asking about sedation when you visit. If you have any questions about how to beat a fear of dentists, feel free to ask in the comments. More information like this: www.aberdeensmiles.com