If you're anxious about your dental appointments, you're not alone. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 25 million Americans do not visit their dentist simply because they are afraid. Studies also have shown that women are more likely than men to experience dental anxiety. However, men may be more likely to mask their feelings about fear.

Regardless of whether you are male or female, if you are feeling anger, impatience, or other strong emotions about your dental appointment, these may be signs of anxiety. But remember, we want to help you to feel comfortable in the dental chair.

Before sitting in the dental chair

Even before arriving at our office, there are a few things you can do to reduce your stress:

• Time: Schedule an appointment for a time you are more likely to be relaxed. For example, it's probably not a good idea to make your child's six-month checkup for the same day as a major test or event at school. Also, you may find that a morning appointment fits your schedule better than in the middle of your busy day. (Early-morning appointments are better in particular for patients with heart disease.)
• Meals: Eat high-protein foods before your appointment to help calm you down. (Be sure to brush and floss after your meal!) Don't have caffeine or sugar right before your appointment, as they can increase your heart rate.
• Personal items: Bring something that will be soothing for you or your child, such as favorite music, a stuffed animal, a cozy sweater, etc.

When you arrive for your appointment, often we will ask questions about your current health situation and what we can do to make you feel more relaxed. We want to create an atmosphere of trust, so please do not hesitate to tell us what makes you nervous. For example, is it a particular sight or sound, a fear of gagging or pain, or a sense of helplessness? Are you worried about health-related issues we may discover in your teeth and gums, or the cost of additional dental treatment?

Understanding the source of your anxiety may make it easier to find a solution that helps you relax. Also, we may provide handouts, videos, and other information about your dental condition. Sometimes a little knowledge is a powerful key to alleviate fear.

While sitting in the dental chair

After you settle into the dental chair, you can help stay calm by breathing slowly and visualizing pleasant scenes. You may want to use some agreed-upon hand signals so that you can communicate with us during procedures. We may also provide dark glasses or headphones, or we may suggest other relaxation aids.

Modern dental techniques have come a long way to help ensure that you are comfortable and that procedures are relatively pain-free. Here are some fun facts to think about while sitting in the dental chair.

• Before dental chairs were invented in the 1700s, patients often had to sit on the floor with their head braced between their dentist's knees during dental procedures. Aren't you glad we no longer do that!
• During the 1800s, offices didn't always have electricity, so dental chairs were placed near windows for better lighting (a practice we often continue today, even with electricity!).
• Although reclining chairs were first created in the 1830s, by the mid-20th century, they had become increasingly sleek and high-tech. For example, a jet-set dental chair was placed in a replica of a space ship at the 1962 World's Fair! Sometimes these fashionable dental chairs were salmon pink or powder blue, keeping with the style of the times.
• Today, one of the latest innovations developed in Japan is a dental chair with a built-in CD player that can conduct music right through the patients' bones—no need for a headset!

It's important to protect your health by pampering your teeth and gums. Over time you may come to feel that your dental visit is almost like a spa treatment. So come in, sit back, and relax!