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dentist for nervous patients Portishead

Dental Fear

Is it normal to be scared of the dentist?

About 36% of people have a fear of dental treatment, with 12% having an extreme fear. About 3% of adults have dentophobia and avoid going to the dentist at all. Fear of dentists is more common in females than in males.

How do I get over my dental fear?

  1. See the dentist at a less busy time of day.

  2. Bring noise-cancelling headphones or ear buds with music to help you relax.

  3. Ask a friend or a loved one to accompany you during your appointment.

  4. Practice deep breathing and other meditation techniques to calm your nerves.

How do dentists calm dental fear?

Here at Evolve we always work closely with our patients to help overcome their fears. Patients can come into the practice and meet non clinical team members initially if they wish to, during which they can discuss any particular worries they may have. Patients can also listen to music for longer treatments. At Evolve we can also use Rescue Remedy to help reduce anxiety, we also have a Calmer Llama, a stress buster that patients can squeeze to distract themselves.

Can you be put to sleep at the dentist?

It is possible to have sedation if you are having treatment at the dentist. This can help relieve anxiety during treatment. Dental sedation will extend the length of time of your treatment, but can help a lot of patients if they are particularly nervous about visiting the dentist. Sedation is not a general anaesthetic and you are not asleep, just very relaxed.

Can dentists tell if you have anxiety?

If you suffer from anxiety, it’s possible that you may clench or grind your teeth, you probably wouldn’t even know you are doing it. Your dentist will see evidence of this when they carry out a healthy mouth review. They may recommend a night guard to help reduce the impact of grinding at night. It also really helps to tell the dentist that you are anxious so that they can help you manage your anxiety.

View our CQC independent review

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Thinking about improving your smile but not sure where to start? 😁

In this video, our dentist Richard Ford talks about SmileFast — a modern, minimally invasive way to transform your smile quickly and beautifully. ✨

SmileFast combines the latest digital technology with composite bonding to deliver natural-looking results in as little as one appointment. It’s perfect for patients who want a confident smile without more complex treatment. 💚

Watch to find out how SmileFast could help you love your smile again.

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Claire used to feel really self-conscious about her stained teeth and often hid her smile. After having veneers at Evolve Dentistry, she now smiles confidently — and can’t stop! 💚

Her story is a wonderful reminder of how transforming your smile can transform how you feel, too.

Watch Claire share her journey 👇
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Meet Kayse, one of our brilliant dental nurses here at Evolve Dentistry! 💚

Kayse is an important part of our team, helping to make sure every patient feels comfortable, cared for, and supported during their visit. 🦷✨

We’re so proud of the friendly, compassionate team we have here at Evolve — they’re the heart of everything we do.

#EvolveDentistry #Portishead #DentalNurse #BestTeam #PatientCare #BehindTheScenes
💙 Join us on #BlueWednesday – 12 November 2025 💙

Did you know a quick 45‑second self‑check could help spot mouth cancer early? 

This #BlueWednesday, we’re encouraging everyone to check their mouth for any red or white patches, unusual lumps or persistent ulcers. 
 
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, make sure to book in with a dentist or see your doctor. 

🦷 At Evolve Dentistry, we’re proud to support this life‑saving awareness campaign.

Let’s spread the word together — share this post, tag someone you care about and use the hashtags #BlueWednesday and #MouthAware.
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