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Fear keeps about one in four of us away from the dentist. If you're frightened, don't avoid the situation but let your dentist know. Whether it's the noise of the drill, the prodding and scraping or the prospect of pain that alarms you, your dentist can help put you at ease. If he or she doesn't, consider finding someone else.

Try these tips as well:

• Go early. Make a morning appointment so you won't agonise all day over an afternoon visit.
• Get numb. Ask your dentist about nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or other pharmaceutical options.
• Relax. Take a portable stereo with headphones, especially if you're having a filling. Research shows that music with a slow or moderate rhythm reduces anxiety in patients under going minor surgery with a local anaesthetic. Music will also drown out the drilling sound. You could also book a relaxing massage just before your root-canal therapy, or have one afterwards so you'll feel better about the experience