How to Get Dental Care When You’re Terrified of the Dentist

Why Dental Anxiety Is So Common (and So Understandable)

Dental anxiety doesn’t have a single cause. For many people, it comes from a bad experience as a child — pain that wasn’t managed well, a dentist who didn’t explain things, a feeling of helplessness in the chair. For others, it’s sensory: the sounds, the smells, the feeling of instruments in their mouth.

Some patients feel embarrassed about how long it’s been since their last visit. They worry about being judged for the state of their teeth. That shame can keep people away for years, even decades — making the underlying dental problems worse and the anxiety harder to face.

Whatever your reason, it’s valid. And it doesn’t have to stop you from getting care.

What Sedation Dentistry Actually Means

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental treatment. It’s not the same as general anesthesia — you remain conscious and can respond to the dentist, but anxiety fades significantly and discomfort is minimized.

At DentCare Now in Fairfax, we offer two primary sedation options for anxious patients:

Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)

Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask over the nose. It takes effect within minutes, producing a calm, floaty feeling that reduces anxiety without putting you to sleep. It wears off quickly — most patients drive themselves home. This is a great option for mild to moderate anxiety or for procedures that are brief but nerve-wracking.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment. By the time you’re in the chair, anxiety is significantly reduced. Many patients with oral sedation report remembering little of the procedure afterward. You’ll need a driver for this option, and you should plan to rest afterward — but for patients with significant anxiety, it’s often the difference between getting care and not getting care at all.

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson is certified in oral sedation and has extensive experience helping anxious patients get through treatment they’d otherwise avoid.

What to Expect at DentCare Now If You’re Anxious

From the moment you call, we approach things differently. There’s no cold window to check in through. When you arrive, Dr. Johnson or Dr. Bonner greets you themselves. No clipboard stack. No waiting to see “the real doctor.”



We listen first. Before we touch anything, we ask what’s going on — not just with your teeth, but how you’re feeling about being here. If it’s been years, we celebrate that you came in. We don’t shame you for what’s happened in the past or what your teeth look like right now.

Our comfort options include:

• Laughing gas available for any appointment
• Oral sedation for patients who need it
• Warm, unhurried appointments — we don’t rush through anxious patients
• Gentle, clear communication at every step — nothing happens without explanation
• Judgment-free environment, always
  

When Dental Anxiety Leads to Real Problems

We say this not to scare you, but because it’s true: dental anxiety that keeps people from the dentist tends to create the exact problems people fear most. A small cavity that could have been treated with a simple filling becomes a root canal. An infection that could have been caught early becomes an emergency.

Avoiding care doesn’t protect you — it just delays and often worsens what needs to happen. The sooner you come in, the simpler the solution is likely to be.

If you’re in pain right now and anxiety has kept you from calling: we see emergency patients the same day, 7 days a week. You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready enough.”

How to Prepare for Your First Appointment If You’re Nervous

A few things that genuinely help:

1. Call ahead and tell us. When you book, let us know you’re anxious. We’ll note it, our team will be prepared, and you won’t have to explain yourself in the waiting room.
2. Bring something comforting. Headphones with your own music or a podcast, a comfort item — whatever makes you feel more like yourself.
3. Ask for laughing gas upfront. We want to make sure you’re comfortable — just let us know when you book, and we’ll take care of the rest.
4. Agree on a stop signal. We always establish a way for patients to pause the appointment — usually a raised hand. Knowing you’re in control changes everything.
5. Let go of the timeline pressure. We don’t rush anxious patients. If we need to take more time or break into two appointments, we do.

You deserve dental care that feels safe. Not someday — now. DentCare Now is in Fairfax, VA near Fairfax Circle, open 7 days a week. Call us, book online at dentcarenow.com, or just send us a message. We’ll meet you where you are.

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