If you’ve put off dental visits because the thought of the chair makes your heart race, this one’s for you. Dental anxiety is common, it’s not something to be embarrassed about, and it’s exactly the kind of thing oral sedation was designed to help with.
This is general information, and every patient’s situation is different. Please contact our team for guidance specific to you.
If dental anxiety has been holding you back, you’re not alone
Dental anxiety ranges from mild nervousness to genuine dread, and it’s one of the most common reasons people delay or avoid care altogether — which usually means small issues have more time to turn into bigger ones. Telling your dentist you’re anxious isn’t a bother; it’s useful information that shapes how your whole visit is handled, sedation or not.
How oral sedation helps with anxiety specifically
Oral sedation works by helping you feel deeply relaxed before your procedure even begins, which for many anxious patients changes the entire experience — the racing thoughts and dread that normally build up beforehand tend to ease considerably. Because you’re calmer going in, procedures often feel like they pass much faster than they actually take, and some patients remember very little of the visit afterward.
What it won’t fix (and that’s okay)
Oral sedation eases the in-the-moment anxiety of a procedure, but it isn’t a cure for dental anxiety itself — the nervousness may still be there for future visits, which is normal. The goal isn’t to “fix” anxiety permanently in one visit; it’s to make each individual appointment manageable so avoiding the dentist stops being the easier option.
Other things we do for anxious patients, sedation or not
Sedation isn’t the only tool for anxious patients. Things like clearly explaining each step before we do it, taking breaks when needed, and simply being told what to expect ahead of time can go a long way on their own — and these are things our team does for anxious patients regardless of whether sedation is part of the plan.
How to bring it up with your dentist
The simplest way to start is just telling us you experience dental anxiety when you book, or right at the start of your appointment. From there, we can talk through whether oral sedation makes sense for your situation, or whether other approaches might help more. There’s no need to have it all figured out before you call.
Explore the rest of this guide
Just starting to learn about oral sedation:
- What Is Oral Sedation Dentistry? How It Works
- Is Oral Sedation Safe? What to Expect
- Oral Sedation for Dental Anxiety: Is It Right for You? (you’re here)
Deciding if it’s for you:
Ready to book:
Ready to talk it through? Book an appointment with Deerfoot Dental Centre in NE Calgary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to feel embarrassed about being anxious at the dentist?
It’s a very common feeling, but there’s nothing to be embarrassed about — dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons our team hears from patients, and it’s something we’re used to helping with.
Will oral sedation make me less anxious about future visits too?
Not necessarily on its own — it helps with the anxiety of the specific appointment you’re sedated for, but ongoing anxiety about future visits is normal and something you can keep addressing appointment by appointment.
What if I’ve avoided the dentist for years because of anxiety?
That’s a common starting point, not a barrier — tell us when you book, and we can talk through an approach, including oral sedation, that makes coming back manageable.
Do I have to be sedated for every future appointment once I try it?
No — it’s your choice each time, based on the procedure and how you’re feeling. Many patients only use it for specific appointments they’re most anxious about.
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