Dental Anxiety Is Real—Here’s How Buford Dentists Are Helping Patients Finally Get the Care They Need

The appointment is on your calendar. You’ve known about it for weeks. But as the day approaches, something familiar starts happening. Your stomach tightens. You find reasons to reschedule. Maybe you convince yourself that slight tooth sensitivity isn’t really that bad. Sound familiar?

Dental anxiety affects an estimated 36% of the population, with roughly 12% experiencing extreme fear that qualifies as a phobia. These aren’t just statistics—they represent millions of people whose oral health suffers because the thought of sitting in a dental chair triggers genuine distress. At Buford Family Dental, the dental team sees this every day and has developed approaches specifically designed to help anxious patients receive the care they need without the overwhelming stress.

Understanding Why Dental Anxiety Happens

Dental anxiety isn’t a character flaw or something to feel embarrassed about. It’s a legitimate psychological response that often has identifiable roots. Understanding where your anxiety comes from can be the first step toward managing it.

Common triggers include:

• Past negative experiences: a painful procedure, a dismissive dentist, or feeling rushed or unheard during previous visits can create lasting associations
• Fear of pain: even with modern anesthetics, many people carry assumptions about dental work being painful based on outdated experiences or stories from others
• Loss of control: lying back in a chair while someone works in your mouth can feel vulnerable and uncomfortable for people who need to feel in control
• Sensory overload: the sounds of dental instruments, the bright lights, unfamiliar smells, and the sensation of hands in your mouth can overwhelm some patients
• Embarrassment: people who haven’t been to the dentist in years often fear judgment about the condition of their teeth
• Needle phobia: for some patients, the injection of local anesthetic is the primary source of anxiety

Whatever the cause, the result is often the same: avoided appointments, delayed treatment, and dental problems that grow more serious over time. A cavity that could have been treated with a simple filling becomes a root canal. Gum disease that could have been reversed with a deep cleaning progresses to the point of tooth loss.

The Real Cost of Avoiding the Dentist

Skipping dental visits might provide short-term relief from anxiety, but it creates a cycle that makes everything worse. Dental problems rarely resolve on their own—they progress, often silently, until symptoms become impossible to ignore.

When patients finally seek treatment after years of avoidance, they frequently face more extensive procedures, higher costs, increased discomfort, and health complications. Research continues to reveal connections between oral health and systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Breaking this cycle requires finding a dental team that understands anxiety and has tools to address it.

How Sedation Dentistry Changes Everything

Modern sedation dentistry offers options that allow anxious patients to receive dental care in a relaxed, comfortable state. At Buford Family Dental, sedation isn’t just available—it’s integrated into a comprehensive approach to patient comfort.

Nitrous Oxide: Gentle Relaxation That Wears Off Quickly

Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, has been used safely in dentistry for over a century. You breathe the gas through a small mask placed over your nose, and within minutes, a calming sense of relaxation washes over you.

What makes nitrous oxide particularly appealing:

• You remain conscious: you can hear the dentist, respond to questions, and stay aware of your surroundings while feeling pleasantly detached from anxiety
• Quick onset and recovery: effects begin within minutes and clear just as quickly once the gas stops—most patients can drive themselves home
• Adjustable levels: your dentist can increase or decrease the sedation throughout your appointment based on your comfort
• Safe for most patients: nitrous oxide has an excellent safety profile and works well for mild to moderate anxiety

For patients whose anxiety is manageable but still interferes with their comfort, nitrous oxide often provides exactly the right level of relaxation.

Oral Conscious Sedation: Deeper Relaxation for Greater Anxiety

When anxiety is more severe—or when procedures are lengthy or complex—oral conscious sedation offers a stronger option. You take a prescribed medication about an hour before your appointment, which produces a deeply relaxed state.

Key points about oral conscious sedation:

• Profound relaxation: while you won’t be unconscious, you’ll feel drowsy and deeply calm throughout your procedure
• Reduced memory formation: many patients remember little about their appointment, helpful for those with dental trauma
• Extended effect: you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment
• Ideal for longer procedures: patients who struggle to sit still find oral sedation makes lengthy treatments manageable

The dental team carefully evaluates each patient’s health history, anxiety level, and treatment needs to recommend the most appropriate sedation approach.

Beyond Sedation: Creating a Comfortable Experience

Sedation is just one element of anxiety management. The environment, communication style, and overall approach matter just as much. At Buford Family Dental, anxious patients notice unhurried appointments that don’t feel rushed, clear communication about what’s happening, patient control with the ability to pause procedures at any time, comfortable surroundings designed to feel welcoming, and non-judgmental care regardless of how long it’s been since your last visit.

The Expertise Behind Compassionate Care

Managing dental anxiety effectively requires both clinical skill and genuine understanding of patient psychology. The dentists at Buford Family Dental bring diverse backgrounds and extensive training to their approach.

Dr. Brian Choi earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before completing his DDS at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. That foundation in understanding human behavior informs his patient interactions daily. Dr. John Jeoung’s path to dentistry included a chemistry degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Iowa State University before attending Temple University’s dental school—a rigorous scientific background that supports precise, efficient treatment. Dr. Hira Khan completed her dental training in Pakistan before earning her DDS from New York University, bringing an international perspective and commitment to patient-centered care that emphasizes education and customized treatment planning.

Together, this team represents over 50 years of combined dental experience. That depth of expertise means patients receive care from professionals who have treated countless anxious patients and refined their approaches based on what actually works.

What 1,379 Five-Star Reviews Reveal

Numbers tell a story. Buford Family Dental has earned over 1,379 five-star Google reviews, recognition as a 2024 and 2025 Top Patient Rated Dentist by Find Local Doctors, and Nextdoor’s vote for best dental practice in the area. Patient after patient describes feeling welcomed, comfortable, and genuinely cared for—exactly the reassurance anxious patients need when choosing a dental home.

Taking the First Step

If dental anxiety has kept you from the dentist for months or years, the thought of making an appointment might feel overwhelming. Start small—call the office and explain your concerns, ask questions, and learn about sedation options. When you’re ready, Buford Family Dental offers a $199 new patient special that includes x-rays, an exam, cleaning, and a digital 3D intraoral scan.

Your Comfort Matters at Buford Family Dental

Dental anxiety is real, but it doesn’t have to control your oral health. At Buford Family Dental, patients throughout Buford, Sugar Hill, and Gwinnett County find a team that takes anxiety seriously and provides genuine solutions—from nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to an overall approach built on comfort, communication, and respect.

Your smile deserves attention, and you deserve to receive that attention without overwhelming stress. Call Buford Family Dental at 678-730-2005 to discuss your concerns and learn how sedation dentistry might help you finally get the care you’ve been avoiding. The team is ready to help you take that first step toward a healthier smile—at your own pace, with your comfort as the priority.