by Louise Christensen

Created on: December 10, 2009   Last Updated: December 11, 2009

Making dental decisions will depend on several factors: What is the problem that needs to be addressed? Is the problem based in disease and/or decay, or is it a cosmetic issue? Is an insurance plan available or will it be paid for out of pocket? Is the need for a child or an adult? For some people it is a hereditary problem that results in bad teeth that require the extra attention of a dentist. For some people poor hygiene habits result in decay and disease that require treatment to relieve suffering. People who frequently change dentists need to be aware that each new dentist is going to want a full set of x-rays; frequent exposure to x-ray could lead to other problems. Many dental offices have a myriad of programs available and offer package deals for new patients; sometimes insurance programs will cover these costs - sometimes not.  

For at least the last five decades the recommendation by dentists and oral hygiene product manufacturers, has been that people should brush and floss after each meal. More recently the recommendation is to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Oral hygiene products have become more high tech and the choice and variety are now quite numerous. Although having clean teeth continues to be the goal, the fashion statement that is most popular now is to have very white teeth. People have the option of getting teeth whitening treatments through their dentist or they can buy a DIY kit at their favorite retail grocer,drug store, or on-line. The cost for over the counter products and fees for in the chair treatments have increased exponentially in the last several decades.

If a parent is not persistent in teaching and supervising a child's dental hygiene, the result will be more visits to the dentist. Taking a child to the dentist can - in some instances - be traumatic for everyone involved. Twenty years ago it was simply a matter of having to work through it the best way possible. It is current standard procedure for most pediatric dentist to simply sedate a child that needs treatment beyond a basic check-up. If the parent is comfortable with this treatment option it reduces the stress for all involved; it would be advisable to check with the child's pediatrician to insure that the child will not have an adverse reaction to sedation.

Not that many years ago it was common procedure when people reached a certain age they simply had all their teeth pulled and dentures were put in. In the

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