It's common to have anxiety about visiting the dentist. This is especially true if you need to have a large amount of dental work done, if you have generalized anxiety, or if you had a painful experience with a dentist as a child. A dentist that is familiar with working with patients with anxiety can help work out a treatment plan that takes your symptoms into account so that you can complete the dental work that you need and achieve great oral health.  When you need to start a dental health regimen, but suffer from anxiety, try the following ideas: 

Communicate with Your Dentist

If you suffer from anxiety related to trips to the dentist, just the thought of scheduling appointments can be emotionally uncomfortable for you. If you experience anxiety symptoms, be sure to let your dentist know and find out if they are willing to help coordinate care with your mental health team. Many dentists are highly familiar with dental anxiety, and so they may be able to add to your treatment plans to help you cope with your symptoms. Communication is the first step, so let your dentist know that you experience anxiety, how it manifests, and how they can help you manage these symptoms so that you can work together as a team. 

Regular Cleanings to Prevent Ongoing Issues

Sometimes, patients worry most about dentists visits being uncomfortable or painful, because of painful experiences in their pasts. One of the best ways to limit dental discomfort is actually to visit the dentist regularly. This helps the professional find any dental issues you're experiencing while they're still minor so that they can be fixed with a minimal amount of discomfort. Regular exams and cleanings help limit ongoing dental issues and are an important part of overall oral health. 

Ask for Sedation Dentistry if Necessary 

If your dentist provides the service, it makes sense to consider sedation dentistry as an option if you have to have major dental work done. This allows you to get any major procedures out of the way with a limited amount of stress and discomfort. Then you can work with your dentist to develop an ongoing plan for dental treatment to limit future issues.  When you suffer from dental anxiety, it can be difficult to take the first step. However, communicating with your new dentist about your anxiety and setting up a treatment plan can prevent many future issues. Reach out to a local dentist in the cities near you today to find out how they work with patients who have anxiety symptoms.