Brush your teeth before bed. Floss every day. Avoid sugary foods. These words have been spoken by parents everywhere.

Instilling good dental hygiene habits in your children is necessity, but once these children become adults, many of them begin to neglect their teeth. Although it is crucial that your teeth are carefully attended to in the early stages of life, it is as important to maintain this care throughout your adult and senior years. In fact, as you age, a number of issues may potentially arise that can cause irreparable and often costly damage. Clearly, caring for your teeth is a lifetime commitment.
Once a child has their first tooth, they are susceptible to tooth decay. At this early age it is imperative that parents dedicate themselves to establishing a dental care routine. This includes regularly paying a visit to the dentist, which dentists recommend should first take place around the age of one. At the age of two or three, many children have all their baby teeth. Sadly, it is not uncommon for a two-year old to develop a cavity. With a dental hygiene routine in place, this can be avoided.

In actuality it is not age that causes tooth decay, but neglect. It is a certain guarantee that adults who do not care for their teeth will invariably develop dental problems. Unfortunately, there are serious issues that may arise despite your best dental hygienic efforts in your adult years and these include: cavities, gum disease, tooth misalignment, and root decay. While these issues may be impossible to avoid, you must still exercise diligence in taking care of your teeth and monitoring them for signs of trouble.

Undeniably, suffering from cavities or recovering from root canal can be painful and disruptive to your life. Moreover, in regards to your teeth, there is not just the cost to your health to take into account, but also the cost to your wallet. Dentists are highly trained professionals whose services do not come cheap. Without financial assistance, many people are forced to go without dental check-ups and are left to suffer the consequences.

In Canada, there are very few provinces that offer coverage for dental services. At best, a province may provide basic dental care until the age of 12, or may provide coverage in the case of someone who is receiving social assistance. For a large portion of Canadians who do not have an employee health plan, the financial burden falls solely on the individual. Planning ahead for the cost of braces for your children, surgery for yourself or dentures as you age is imperative if you hope to avoid costly expenses. Purchasing dental insurance is your best defense against expensive dental bills.

Having supplemental health insurance enables you to follow a set dental hygiene routine that includes regular trips to the dentist. Dental insurance plans will vary but several exist that can adequately meet your needs. Opting for a basic supplemental dental insurance plan for example can provide you 50% coverage for your first $1,150 of eligible services in your first year of coverage. This would increase to 80% for the first $300 of services in your second year.

Whether you are visiting the dentist for a check-up or for an unexpected dental problem, you should prepare yourself for the financial cost. Caring for your teeth is a lifelong commitment and a job that you must take seriously.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Dorbyk is the editor for Canada Health Insurance and is a graduate student in Communication Studies at Concordia University. For more information on health insurance for Canadians please visit www.canada-health-insurance.com.