Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer
  • For Medicare
  • For Providers
  • For Brokers
  • For Employers
  • Search
    Search
    Español
  • For Individuals & Families:
  • For Individuals & Families:
  • Shop for Plans

    Shop for Plans

    • Plans through your employer
    • Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.
    • Explore coverage through work
  • Log in to myCigna
  • Log in to myCigna
  • Shop for Plans

    Shop for Plans

  • Member Guide
  • Find a Doctor
  • Home Knowledge Center Overcoming Dental Anxiety

    Overcoming Dental Anxiety

    When you fear less, you can smile more.

    For some people, a visit to the dentist can be scary. The good news is there are ways you can work with your dentist to make your visit easier.

    Recognizing the Signs of Dental Phobia

    Fear of visiting the dentist can be a serious problem. It can cause serious panic and distress. Here are signs that you may have a dental phobia worth addressing.

    • You avoid visiting the dentist until you experience severe pain.
    • You have problems sleeping on the nights leading up to your dental visits.
    • You feel uneasy while waiting in the dental office.
    • You feel physically ill when thinking about going to the dentist.
    • You have difficulty breathing when you're in the chair, getting dental care.

    Common Dental Fears

    Determining the cause of your fears may help you resolve them.

    • Fear of pain. An early negative dental experience may have left you uncomfortable or distrusting.
    • Fear of shots. Some people are scared of needles. Others also worry that the anesthesia given won’t work and they’ll still feel the pain.
    • Side effects from anesthesia. Some people worry about how the anesthesia will make them feel. They fear getting dizzy, being nauseated, or having a numb lip.
    • Loss of personal space. Many feel self-conscious with the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist.
    • Loss of control. People sometimes struggle with not being able to see what’s going on in their mouths.

    Managing Your Fears

    You can reduce your anxiety and improve your oral health. Here’s how:

    • Communicate openly. Discuss your dental fears with your dentist. Ask questions about your oral health and your treatment.
    • Make a plan. Your dentist should work with you to address your fears and worries. Bringing headphones and listening to music during your appointment often helps. If your dentist doesn’t take your concerns seriously, find another dentist.
    • Express yourself. Ask your dentist to explain what’s happening. Establish a hand signal to use if you want the dentist to stop. Use the signal if you’re uncomfortable or if you need to take a break.

    Tags

  • Fear
  • This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your dentist for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations.

    I want to...
  • Get an ID card
  • File a claim
  • View my claims and EOBs
  • Check coverage under my plan
  • See prescription drug list
  • Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility
  • Find a form
  • Find 1095-B tax form information
  • View the Cigna Healthcare Glossary
  • Contact Cigna Healthcare
  • Audiences
  • Individuals and Families
  • Medicare
  • Employers
  • Brokers
  • Providers
  • Secure Member Sites
  • myCigna member portal
  • Health Care Provider portal
  • Cigna for Employers
  • Client Resource Portal
  • Cigna for Brokers
  • The Cigna Group Information
  • About Cigna Healthcare
  • The Cigna Group
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investors
  • Suppliers
  • Third Party Administrators
  • International
  • Evernorth Health Services
  • Cigna Healthcare. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy
  • Legal
  • Product Disclosures
  • Company Names
  • Customer Rights
  • Accessibility
  • Non-Discrimination Notice
  • Language Assistance [PDF]
  • Report Fraud
  • Sitemap
  • Cookie Settings
  • Disclaimer

    Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna Healthcare name, logo, and other Cigna Healthcare marks are owned by The Cigna Group Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of The Cigna Group.

    All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna Healthcare sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

    Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna Healthcare website. Cigna Healthcare may not control the content or links of non-Cigna Healthcare websites. Details