Although it’s easy to understand why you’re afraid of certain things like snakes (they bite!) and sharks (same!), thankfully, in most cases these fears don’t get in the way of your daily life. After all, it’s pretty unlikely that you’re going to encounter a shark on your way to work today. But when your fears begin to prevent you from taking proper care of yourself, such as when you skip routine oral health examinations because you’re afraid of the dentist, even the most reasonable phobias can become extremely dangerous.

The good news is that if you can pinpoint exactly what is causing your anxiety, you have a better chance of overcoming it, and for seeking solutions like sedation dentistry to make your dental appointments a lot more comfortable and a lot less scary! Here’s a closer look at some common reasons patients are afraid to see the dentist, and what you can do to prevent it!