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When you’re in a social situation, do you happily show your smile to the world? If you prefer to hide your teeth from others, it might be that you have decaying or missing teeth, bad breath, or other oral health issues that make you self-conscious and keep you from participating in things you enjoy. You may even skip or put off dental appointments because you can’t afford them.
If you relate to any of these examples, there’s no doubt about it—dental insurance will improve your quality of life. Regular checkups and professional cleanings keep the teeth, gums, and mouth healthy while also keeping the related expenses in check.
Read on to learn more about improving well-being with dental coverage.
Research shows that good oral health and quality dental care are instrumental in a person’s overall well-being. A recent State of Oral Health Equity in America survey revealed that people without dental insurance are less healthy overall than those who have coverage. In large part, this disconnect is thanks to uninsured individuals skipping much-needed appointments with their dentists.
Factors like dental anxiety and time keep people out of the dentist’s chair. However, by far, the most common reason people don’t make appointments is the cost involved. The American Dental Association reported that the average cost in 2020 for a preventive care office visit with an exam, X-rays, and cleaning was nearly $300 without insurance.
Of course, crowns and root canals can soar into the thousands, so it’s helpful that the typical dental policy covers 100% of the cost of preventive care (and 50% to 80% of other services). Could removing the financial barrier and increasing your accessibility to dental care enhance your quality of life? Absolutely.
A daily oral health routine that includes brushing and flossing helps eliminate bacteria from your mouth, protect your teeth from cavities, and prevent gum disease. However, seeing the dentist for a checkup and in-depth cleaning also prevents severe health issues. For example, much research links oral bacteria to several conditions, including the following:
Your dentist could help with the early detection of certain diseases and conditions you may not otherwise know about, allowing you to seek prompt treatment and, hopefully, experience fewer complications. For example, an oral cancer screening is a standard part of all dental checkups, where your dentist checks for signs of the disease to ensure treatment before it can spread.
However, good dental care can also help prevent other complications, like those that stem from diabetes. Diabetics resist infections less effectively, which increases the risk of gum disease. A dentist will need to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums and recommend treatments to protect you from ensuing pain, tooth loss, and other problems.
Since there’s a clear link between your physical and mental health, better emotional well-being is another quality of life benefit of dental insurance. Studies reveal a strong correlation between mental health and tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. People with mental illness are more likely to have oral health issues, and vice versa.
How can mental health affect your oral health? Here are a few examples:
On the other side of the coin, the effects of poor oral health could prevent you from doing the things you love or spending time with friends due to low self-esteem. Perhaps it's the pain from untreated dental issues that exacerbates your mental health issue. Other times, it might be the uncomfortable and embarrassing side effects of medication, like dry mouth, that further affect the state of your mental health.
However, when you have access to comprehensive dental care via an affordable insurance policy, consistent care overcomes these challenges. A relationship with a dentist means more support in your journey. That includes developing healthy oral care routines that translate into better overall physical and mental well-being.
Research also indicates that oral health and dental issues like untreated tooth decay, tooth loss, and crooked teeth can profoundly affect your self-esteem. People associate healthy, straight, white teeth with physical attractiveness. When teeth don’t align with these standards, it can cause adults, teens, and young adults alike to lose self-confidence, and their quality of life suffers.
It’s not just the appearance of teeth that can influence self-esteem; dental health issues affect speech and how you eat. It’s not uncommon for poor oral health to lead to self-esteem issues, such as:
Self-esteem is self-value. Without it, you’re less likely to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, and those types of self-limiting behaviors devastate your overall quality of life. Isn’t it worth a look if quality dental care and insurance coverage could help correct all of that?
You might not think your teeth or oral hygiene habits have much to do with your career success, but there’s a clear connection—and it goes well beyond your self-confidence and willingness to put yourself out there. According to research from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, a healthy smile is crucial to making a great first impression. Almost half of the survey’s participants said that a smile was the first thing they noticed about someone (even more than what the person said first!).
The participants also agreed that if someone had a flawed smile, they were more likely to consider them as less attractive or less confident overall. Since making a great impression is critical to your career success, you are less likely to succeed at interviewing for a new position or winning a new client if your bad teeth or oral hygiene are in the way. Plus, when others notice problems with your teeth, they could make inaccurate assumptions about your abilities, professionalism, and personality that influence their decisions about doing business with you.
Ultimately, having a healthy mouth can influence your career’s trajectory and overall earnings. For example, one National Bureau of Economic Research study found that losing just one tooth can cause women to earn over $700 less per year. Other research suggests that people perceive those with healthy smiles as more successful and that they are 50% more likely to get a job offer than someone with “bad teeth.”
The bottom line is that there’s a clear difference between quality of life with dental coverage and without it. Investing in a comprehensive insurance policy may help you access more opportunities, a higher salary, or a better professional reputation.
We’ve seen that quality dental care significantly impacts multiple aspects of your life, from your overall well-being to your social standing and career prospects. However, the CDC also reports that 35% of adults don’t go to the dentist for these vital preventive care sessions and treatments. Why do so many people skip or put off seeing the dentist?
The answer is simple: the cost of a dental appointment is beyond most people without insurance.
It’s also common for people to avoid going to the dentist out of concern that the doctor will uncover a problem that requires expensive treatment. For someone who isn’t dealing with an immediate concern, it’s easier to put off a visit until there’s pain or infection. Unfortunately, a problem that’s easy to treat when caught early will likely require more advanced—and more expensive—treatment later on, so this is a flawed approach to cost-savings.
Even when you account for premiums and deductibles, the price difference between paying out-of-pocket and using insurance is significant. When you have coverage, you’re more likely to use your benefits and enjoy better overall health and quality of life.
When you recognize dental insurance's impact on your health, it’s easy to see why a policy is an excellent investment. If you’re one of the millions searching for affordable dental coverage, request a quote we’ll help you find the best option for your needs.