Despite the recommendation that people visit their dentist twice a year, many adults instead choose to ignore this advice. They may develop a fear of going to the dentist or believe that they do not need regular dental care. If it has been a long time since you have visited the dentist, you may not be sure of what you need to do once you decide to make an appointment. The best approach to beginning regular dental care is to treat this visit as you would any other important medical appointment.

Dentists, just like doctors, need to know about your overall health. If you suffer from a chronic condition such as asthma, high blood pressure, or other health problems, it is in your best interest to let your dentist know immediately about your conditions and what you are doing to keep them under control. For example, if you use an inhaler twice a day, your dentist will appreciate knowing about this because it helps him or her safeguard your health while you are in the dentist’s care. After you make an appointment for a dental visit, you should make it your first priority to tell your dentist about your health and about any medications that you take on a regular basis.

You should also let your dentist know if you have any fears about seeking dental care. Phobic patients are nothing new to the dental profession. Dentists encounter fearful patients all the time. Still, if you have any apprehension about your appointment or undergoing treatments, you would do well to make your dentist aware of it. He or she can help keep you calm during your appointment or perhaps provide sedative medications if your appointment involves oral surgery. At the very least, dentists appreciate the opportunity to speak with patients about their fears and to ease their minds before treatments begin.

When speaking with your dentist, it is important that you are completely honest with him or her. While many people do not like to admit that they indulge in certain habits, like smoking or drinking too much soda, your dentist needs to know about these habits so he or she can prepare the best treatments for your teeth. Many patients assume that their dentist will judge them or refuse to treat them because of their lifestyle choices. However, while dentists may recommend that you stop smoking or cut down on your sugar consumption, they typically will not refuse to help you with your dental health. They simply want to provide the best care for your teeth.

Aside from preparing yourself physically and mentally for dental treatments, you may also want to be prepared for the financial aspects of going to the dentist. If you have insurance from your employer or through a privately purchased policy, you should verify whether or not your dentist will be able to bill your insurance provider. You would also do well to ask about co-payment amounts and about your dentist’s billing practices.