A fear of the dentist is very real. Everyone is to some extent anxious about a visit to the dentist. On a grander scale, a dental phobic finds these visits nearly impossible to cope with and comes up with lots of creative reason to avoid a dentist. With some gentle coxing, most fearful patients can overcome their anxiety during the visit. However, once a person goes to the extent of avoiding dental visits and treatments, then this person requires some extra guidance.

Some phobics would rather watch their teeth fall apart or live with pain than to step inside a dental office. Unfortunately, many of these fears began after a bad childhood dental experience. Even though many phobics know their fears are irrational, the strength to get past the symptoms is harder than the actually thinking about what will happen. Some panic symptoms are as follows uncontrollable shaking, heart palpations, fainting and feelings of nausea

Most of these symptoms are related to fearing lack of control in the situation. A great dentist is very familiar with these symptoms and the fear of dentists and knows several ways to help you manage or even overcome your fear. Below are some tips used by caring dentists:

1. Mention on the phone before your visit that you are apprehensive about seeing a dentist. Sympathetic dentists adjust visits to fit your pace. The first visit then is generally devoted to cleaning and not for surgical treatment.

2. A good dentist's practices a "painless practice" using discomfort-reducing techniques such as topicals like anesthetic gels and air abrasion units.

3. Treatment that requires phases can be scheduled in shorter visits spread out.

4. Some fear is actually healthy – a survival mechanism. The knowledge of this alone can sometimes make a person feel more comfortable.

5. Questions are important. You should ask your dentists as many questions as necessary. A dentist's questions like "Are you feeling this?" or "How are you doing?" helps the dentist know how fast to proceed or if you need a break. A good dentist never forces to you continue if you feel pain.

6. Knowledge is a key to understanding your dental work and to stuff out unfounded fears. Many patients may have heard statements in the past that that were incorrect like "If you don't behave, I'll take you to the dentist!"

7. Just as you should feel comfortable to ask as many questions as necessary, a dentist too should ask you questions. Questions like "How are you doing?" or "Are you feeling this?" allow the dentist to know how fast to proceed or if you need a few minutes. No compassionate dentist will proceed if you're feeling pain.

8. Follow up for a person who has a fear of dentists lets the person know that the dentist really does care. Along with a follow up call, many dentists offer remedies for aches after treatment such as ibuprofen or longer lasting anesthesia.