I am going to the dentist in the next 2 weeks but i am really nervous to go because i know i am going to need a lot of work done. should i be scared?

If you are going: To the dentist for evaluation and exam, try not to be too nervous. You may have dental needs, but let the doctor explain any issues that are found and please visit with him/her about your anxiety. There are several solutions for help w dental treatment anxiety from general anesthesia, sedation medications, nitrous oxide, etc. To help. Please make sure you discuss this at your visit. Good luck!

Not at all: Your dentist wants to help, and will do everything possible to comfortably improve your health and appearance. Go for it!

Dental fright: Otter, this shows that you are human; thousands of sixteen year olds feel exactly the same way. If you said that you looked forward with joy and happiness at going to the dentist, then we would worry about you. Everyone needs a mechanism for dealing with stress, whether it is a final exam or a job interview or your first date. Several that work are at www.Grossaninstitute.Com.

Communicate: Be sure to communicate your anxiety to the office prior to your visit. Your dentist will be able to adjust your visit to make it as non threatening as possible. If work is needed there are a number of adjunct possibilities from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to oral conscious sedation (medicine taken before the procedure) to IV sedation. Communicate to your dentist and his/her office about anxiety.

You can be scared.: Obviously, your fear has kept you from seeing the dentist and whether it is rational or not, it is real. Obviously you can have sedation but i would relate your fears to your dentist and have him/ her start with a small procedure. As a dentist and knowing that when I am "numb, " i won't feel anything, i find being worked on incredibly boring! i generally fall asleep before the procedure begins!