dental anxiety & FEAR
Dentist Silverlake LA
We understand. We can help.
If the thought of going to the dentist fills you with dread — or if you’ve been avoiding dental care for months or years because of fear — you are far from alone. Dental anxiety affects an estimated 36% of the population. Dental phobia — a more severe form that causes people to avoid all dental care entirely — affects another 12%.
These numbers matter because they represent real people living with tooth pain, embarrassment about their smile, and deteriorating oral health — not because they don’t care about their teeth, but because the barrier of fear feels insurmountable.
At Silverlake Dental Group, we want to be the practice that breaks that barrier for you.
Why People Fear the Dentist
Dental fear rarely comes from nowhere. Common roots include:
- A painful or traumatic dental experience in the past
- Feeling out of control or trapped in the dental chair
- Fear of needles or injections
- Embarrassment about the condition of your teeth after a period of avoidance
- Fear of judgment from the dental team
- Hypersensitivity to sounds, smells, or sensations in the dental environment
- Generalized anxiety that extends to medical settings
Understanding why you feel anxious is the first step — and it’s something we genuinely want to hear about. Telling us what specifically makes you anxious allows us to adjust our approach accordingly.
How We Can Help
We listen first. Before anything happens, we want to know what has made dental visits difficult for you in the past. That information shapes how we approach your care from the very first appointment.
We go at your pace. We never rush an anxious patient. If you need a break, we stop. If you need more time to feel ready, we give it. There is no pressure.
We explain everything. Many patients find that knowing exactly what is about to happen — and why — significantly reduces anxiety. We narrate procedures as we go and check in with you throughout.
We offer a stop signal. You are in control. Raising your hand means we immediately stop whatever we’re doing. No questions asked. Knowing you can stop at any time makes it significantly easier to start.
We offer full sedation options. For patients whose anxiety is significant enough to require it, we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. You can sleep through any procedure — from a cleaning to complex surgery — and wake up with everything done. No memory of the procedure. No white-knuckling through it.
We don’t judge. Whatever the condition of your teeth after a period of avoidance — we have seen everything, and we are not here to make you feel bad about it. We are here to help you get from where you are to where you want to be. That is it.
Taking the First Step
The hardest part is almost always making the first call. Many of our most anxious patients have told us that once they got in the door, it wasn’t nearly as bad as they had imagined — and that the relief of finally getting care far outweighed the anxiety that had kept them away.
You can call us, text us, or fill out our online form. If it’s easier to text first, that’s completely fine — text us at (323) 283-9162 and tell us what you’re dealing with. We’ll respond and we’ll figure out the right approach together.
Our Silver Lake office is a welcoming, judgment-free space — and patients from Los Feliz, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, and Glendale who have avoided the dentist for years have found a home here.
Silverlake Dental Group is at 2390 Glendale Blvd, Silver Lake, Los Angeles. Call (323) 922-6016 or text (323) 283-9162. Free parking in the back.
From a family of dentists with quality care
We would be happy to work with you!