{"id":250,"date":"2026-06-18T15:24:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realdentalgp.com\/blog\/?p=250"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:27:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:27:02","slug":"how-art-can-ease-dental-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realdentalgp.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/18\/how-art-can-ease-dental-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"How Art Can Help Ease Dental Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dental anxiety is more common than you might realize. In fact, an estimated 73 percent of American adults suffer from some degree of phobia when it comes to visiting their dentist for even routine oral health care. Thankfully, your dentist understands this, and employs a variety of solutions to help make your time in the treatment chair more comfortable. In addition to offering sedation options<\/a>, here\u2019s how your oral health team uses art to help keep patients feeling calm during their appointments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Art Heals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the average home, artwork can be used to convey a variety of messages, including the personal style of the residents. However, a seemingly simple photo or painting can do so much more than just dress up a barren wall.  When presented in calming colors or capturing a peaceful scene, artwork can help distract, soothe, and relax simply by looking at it. For children, images can be analyzed by a parent in the room, by asking the child to notice certain elements like the colors, shapes, or even types of brush strokes. In fact, even if they can\u2019t answer questions, they can still focus on the piece instead of what their dentist is currently doing to their teeth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sedation Options from Your Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the effort your dentist put into curating the artwork in the office, they may also offer sedation options to help keep you feeling your best during any type of treatment.  Oral conscious sedation is provided in the form of a pill that you can pick up before your appointment and take once you or your child arrives. With this option, you will need a ride home from a trusted friend or family member once your treatment is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another popular sedation option is nitrous oxide. This sweet-smelling gas is breathed in through a tube that fits comfortably in the nose to create a feeling of calm. Once your treatment has been concluded, you\u2019ll breathe pure oxygen for five minutes until the nitrous oxide completely leaves your system. After that, you should be able to drive yourself home or back to work or school with no lingering side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Techniques to Try<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While sedation dentistry and intriguing artwork can certainly help make dental treatment more relaxing, if you need a few other suggestions to get through your appointment, here are some helpful tricks to try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n