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You know what you need to do to stay healthy—eat a nutritious diet, exercise more, get plenty of sleep, reduce stress, and so on. However, one thing not many people readily associate with their overall health is regular dental care.
If you have doubts about the role of dental health in your well-being, the research is clear: it matters. Seeing a dentist twice a year for a checkup and teeth cleaning does more than ensure you don’t have any cavities for a beautiful smile; taking care of your teeth and gums is absolutely critical in avoiding severe illnesses. In fact, the complications of poor dental health may even extend to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Could dental care be the solution to a healthier life for you and your family? Learn more below, including how you can start looking into your options for dental insurance coverage in the interests of better health.
Oral health and overall physical health aren’t separate entities, and they’re far more closely connected than you might imagine. What’s happening inside your mouth offers quite a few clues as to what the rest of your body is experiencing. If you’re dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, risk of stroke, or cancer, your oral health is very likely to tell the same story.
Of course, good dental care starts with your daily habits. Do you diligently brush and floss twice daily? It could go a long way toward eliminating the bacteria that can cause dental issues like gum disease, as well as prevent other serious health issues, such as:
Still, a daily oral care routine is only part of preserving your total body health. Regular visits to your dental provider—at least twice a year—are also critical. The checkup gives your dentist a chance to catch minor problems before they escalate, but the visits could also pick up the following:
If you already have a chronic condition, skipping regular appointments is ill-advised. People with diabetes, for example, have a much higher risk of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, most likely due to their lowered resistance to infection.
Health-conscious individuals already understand that it isn’t just about staying physically healthy—mental health is intricately connected to a person’s overall well-being. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association notes that there is a clear, though still not well-understood, connection between the health of your mouth and your mental well-being.
Think of the following examples:
Understandably, mental illness can also prevent you from seeking the dental care you need and impede your ability to take care of your own teeth. If the symptoms of your mental illness impact your nutrition, oral health concerns are also sure to follow.
In the research, dentists frequently note that individuals with mental health conditions have a higher-than-average prevalence of tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth, and bruxism. So, more accessible dental care through great insurance coverage can help support better overall health and holistic well-being.
The connection between overall health and dental health doesn’t apply to adults only—children need quality dental care as well. The CDC’s Research shows that untreated tooth decay is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases, with serious consequences for their well-being and normal development.
Children with cavities or other oral health concerns have difficulty eating and speaking, translating into further challenges with schooling. Dental issues are painful and uncomfortable, and children without dental care are around three times more likely to miss school, affecting their literacy levels and grades.
That’s why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a dentist when they get their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. The organization’s research shows that for every year parents delay the first dental visit, the risk of their child developing tooth decay doubles.
Rather than just checking for cavities, regular dental care helps parents and children with the following:
Despite this clear connection between dental care and total body health, countless families don’t see their dentists as often as they should. The CDC reports that 35% of adults skip dental care, and over 20% of children don’t visit the dentist enough. The most common reason cited for missing dental appointments is simple: cost.
Even though most common dental issues are entirely preventable with regular care, the affordability of an office visit and treatment is beyond many families’ means. Fortunately, a comprehensive dental insurance policy can make a significant difference. However, more than 77 million adults in the United States still haven’t explored this critical coverage.
While no law requires insurance policies to include dental coverage, and not all employers offer the option to buy a policy, the effects are stark. The State of Oral Health Equity in America survey confirms that more people without dental insurance reported worse overall health compared to last year. People with dental insurance coverage are more likely to go to the dentist and enjoy total body wellness because most dental plans focus on the following:
If the dental plan eliminates the need to worry about the cost of essential visits, people are more likely to use their benefits to “get their money’s worth” from the policy. If you’re not on a policy yet, it’s time to look into it for the sake of your and your family’s health.
Without dental coverage, you pay 100% of the cost of any dental care. That could mean your bill runs into thousands if you need emergency dental care, surgery, prosthodontics, or other in-depth treatment.
On the other hand, depending on the policy, dental insurance may cover the following:
Your out-of-pocket costs will be significantly less with insurance coverage but still depend on the type of insurance plan you purchase. For example, a fee-for-service plan will reimburse you for the cost of services up to the maximum amount. A preferred provider organization plan will cover more services and higher limits but cost more upfront.
Oral health boosts your overall quality of life. Not only will you lower your risk of health issues, but you’ll also be less likely to deal with the pain and discomfort of cavities or gum disease.
A quality dental insurance plan is part of a comprehensive health and personal wellness plan. It gives you peace of mind since you know you’re taking good care of yourself.
If you’re among the millions of people looking for an affordable dental insurance policy, Insurdinary can connect you with the perfect dental insurance coverage for your needs and budget. Don’t delay critical dental care and put your health at risk. You don’t have to face a financial crisis if you can’t afford the dental services you need—insurance is a great solution.
Let’s help you start your journey toward better overall health—go ahead and request an online quote for dental insurance from our licensed professionals.