It's important to see the dentist regularly. Really important! The longer you let it slide, the worse it can get. I have a friend in her late 40s who is in the middle of having to have all of her teeth pulled and replaced with dentures, due to advanced gum disease. If she hadn't been so afraid of seeing a dentist, she could have had the gum disease issue addressed sooner, and saved her teeth.
Fear of the dentist is a serious issue. Don't sacrifice all your teeth to your fear! Conquer it, using these techniques.
1. Xanax
I can't say it enough. Xanax, xanax, xanax! I know you probably don't want to have to take drugs. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and a fear of the dentist which prevents you from getting regular dental care is a desperate situation indeed.
If you have pneumonia, you take antibiotics. If you have high blood pressure, you take a statin. If you have diabetes, you take insulin. And if you have a dental phobia, you take xanax. It's a medication which addresses the issue, simple as that.
I refer to Xanax as "My pal, Mr. Al Prazolam." Many dentists will give you a prescription even before your first visit if you call and explain. It's cheap, too - even without insurance, it's usually only about $4 a pill. A real bargain!
2. Get The Right Dentist
Look for a dentist that advertises with a word like "gentle" in the name. Many dentists specialize in nervous and fearful patients. It can be incredibly helpful to know that the dentist and all of the staff totally get where you're coming from.
For one thing, it means they won't find it disconcerting if you burst into tears at random. For another thing, it means they will take extra care to work gently and to explain everything they are doing as they are doing it.
3. Xanax
It deserves to be mentioned twice. It's not a tranquilizer per se, it just dampens your anxiety.
4. Know You're Not Alone
Dental fear and anxiety is one of the most common out there. I suffer from it, myself. It kept me from seeing the dentist for about ten years, and then for another five years. After I got over it (i.e. buddied up to my pal Al), boy was I sorry I had waited for so long.
There are millions of people who know exactly what you're going through. And we know you can do it!
5. Sedation
Look for a dentist who offers sedation dentistry. Even if you decide not to go completely under, they can give you a hit of the gas if you start feeling panicky during the procedure.