Maybe you think daily brushing and flossing are enough to keep your teeth in good shape. So why bother spending money on dental insurance or a discount dental plan?

There's no doubt that proper dental care goes a long way towards keeping teeth healthy. But no matter how good your oral hygiene habits, you will slack off from time to time. Add to that the fact that your body is constantly changing, especially as it ages. Like it or not, with age comes problems you may not have experienced before.

Having your teeth regularly examined by a trained dental care provider can uncover health problems you never knew existed. Routine x-rays can detect cavities the size of a pinhole, long before you ever feel any sensitivity. If you're a smoker your dentist knows to look for signs of gum disease, a very big and very real problem for those using tobacco. Believe it or not, regular dental exams can even detect signs of serious health problems such as diabetes and osteoporosis.

Left untreated, a cavity can quickly develop into an infection, then an abscess and then gum disease. Once bones in the gums begin to decay they have trouble holding onto teeth. Guess what happens next? Teeth start falling out. Frightening, isn't it? Here's something else that'll scare you.

Take a look at these numbers. Over 20,000,000 missed work days and countless hours away from school are directly attributed to one type of dental problem or another. That's a lot of lost productivity and way too many missed learning opportunities. What's worse is knowing that these numbers could be greatly reduced if individuals would only take better care of their teeth.

If you're willing to put in the effort, every day, week after week, for every year of your life, you will prevent many dental problems from arising. That makes it worth the effort especially when you realize how easy it is to care for your teeth.

Having healthier teeth saves money, too. Medical professionals understand the benefits of preventative care. That's why it's encouraged. Regular teeth cleanings and examinations are much less expensive than fillings which require more of the dentist's time, localized anesthesia, and other costs depending on the severity of the situation. By the time a cavity develops an infection the problem is pretty serious.

It's easy it is to start taking better care of your teeth. All you have to do is brush them a bit longer, especially the ones way in the back. Then when you're finished, pull out a good length of dental floss and use it. You've probably got some way back in the bathroom drawer.

And then start investigating discount dental plans. How? Well thanks to the Internet, just point your browser towards the National Association of Dental Plans website. There you'll find all sorts of dental plans - DHMO, DPPO, discount plans and more. Now don't let all those options scare you. Just research your options as you would when researching any other issue.

Start by accessing the Dental Plan Directory. Choose the state in which you seek coverage and the type of coverage you seek. Then indicate whether you need coverage for an individual or a small group. In moments you should see a list of companies to investigate. Clicking on the company name link opens a page of summary information about the company including full contact details.

That's one way to jump-start your search for a discount dental plan. Another way is by asking around for references. Chances are someone you know either knows of or may even be a member of a discount dental plan. Ask family, friends and coworkers and see what you can dig up.

If you do start comparing various discount dental plans just be sure you're comparing apples to apples. You get what you pay for and if you're paying less but not getting the benefits you need then you're wasting money.

So start thinking about what's important. Make a list of the benefits you think you'll need in the future. Do the same for everyone else who will be enrolled in the discount dental plan. Will there be a need for braces or dentures? Will young children prone to cavities need fluoride and sealants?

If you want the freedom to choose your own dentist don't settle for a discount dental plan that doesn't let you choose. Some folks don't care which dentist they see but others do. They already have a dentist in mind and that's who they want to use.

As you can see, by focusing in on your needs, you're narrowing your list of discount dental plan candidates. To help narrow that list even further, find out the answers to these important questions for every discount dental plan you investigate:

How close are providers?

Choosing a dentist close to where you work or live makes seeking preventative dental care so much easier. You can't make an appointment during your lunch break if it takes 30 minutes just to get to the dentist's office! If the discount dental plan provides an online directory, spend some time looking through it.

What discounts are available?

Look to see how much each plan discounts the various services. Never assume the discounts will always be the same because they won't!

What are acceptable payment options?

Since you'll be paying at the time of service, it's a good idea to know each company's payment terms and options.

How long has the company been in business?

While not always the case, companies that have been around longer usually are better managed, offer more competitive rates, and have higher levels of customer satisfaction.

What other coverage is available?

Discount dental plans are branching out and it's not unusual to see services other than dental being offered. If you need medical coverage, a prescription plan, vision care and even chiropractic specialists, check whether the plan offers it!

With a discount dental plan you really do start saving right away. Remember, there are no waiting periods or preexisting condition limitations. Once you enroll, just make your appointment and go. A few days after joining you'll receive in the mail your membership card(s) and a printed dental provider directory.

Many discount dental plans make their dental provider directories available online so if you need to find a dentist soon, head to the website. When you go to make your appointment, don't worry if that dentist can't get you in as soon as you need. There are others you can contact (provided you've selected a plan that allows you to choose!).

To confirm the appointment, you'll likely need to provide your discount dental plan name and membership number or ID. So make that appointment and remember to show up. You definitely wouldn't be the first person to get cold feet and cancel or worse, be a "no-show." But don't do that. Your teeth are counting on you!

A discount dental plan is a hassle-free approach to dental care that's affordable and doesn't come with any surprises. You know the costs of the plan and the discounted rates for services before you even join.

You'll find individual coverage as well as coverage for all members in your household. You'll even find discount dental plans that include other types of coverage such as vision, prescription and chiropractic care at no extra cost.