Oral Health and Overall Health: 4 Reasons to Enroll in Dental Insurance
In the 1600s, the London Bills of Mortality began officially recording causes of death. One of the most common reasons British people were dying? Their teeth.
The truth is, oral health is a crucial, albeit often overlooked, part of one’s overall health and wellbeing. Even four hundred years later, dental problems are still linked to higher mortality rates. That’s why dental insurance, which makes it easier and more affordable to get regular dental care, is so important. The better care you give your pearly whites, the more you keep yourself safe from critical health conditions.
Want the honest tooth? There are four ways dental insurance can keep you healthy.
1. It helps prevent oral cancer.
Approximately one person in the U.S. dies every hour from oral cancer, which is cancer of either the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue. Studies have linked oral cancer to poor oral hygiene, which makes your gums more susceptible to a cancer-causing virus called HPV.
Heads up: Smoking, and especially chewing and spit tobacco, commonly lead to serious dental diseases and oral cancer, as well. That’s why quitting all types of tobacco is integral to better dental health.
With dental insurance, you can get two fully covered dental exams and cleanings every year. This is an excellent, affordable way to stay on top of your oral hygiene and prevent gum disease, which decreases your chance of developing oral cancer. Also, your dentist can spot easy-to-miss, early signs of oral cancer, such as small lesions or changes in your mouth’s tissue, which can improve your chances of recovery.
2. It takes care of your heart, too.
Research shows that the health of your gums correlates with the health of your heart. In fact, if you have gum disease, you’re more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. That’s because bacteria from your mouth can be spread through the bloodstream right to your heart, inflaming its lining. This can lead to strokes and clogged arteries.
Good dental hygiene, including regular checkups with your dentist, keeps your gums healthy and your germs away from your heart. Plus, dentists can spot signs of gum disease and provide treatments before any major damage is done.
3. It diagnoses serious health conditions.
Did you know that 90 percent of systemic diseases (meaning they affect several parts or all of your body) have oral symptoms? Things like bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and a painful jaw can indicate all types of conditions, such as:
Diabetes
Dementia
Heart attacks
Kidney disease
Leukemia and other forms of cancer
Osteoporosis
When you use your dental plan to get regular checkups, your dentist can monitor your oral health and notice when things aren’t up to par. If your dentist is able to catch diseases early, you can greatly improve your chances of recovery.
4. It improves your overall health.
Taking care of your teeth is not only good for your smile. It’s also great for your overall wellbeing! Proper oral hygiene prevents an overgrowth of dangerous bacteria, which reduces inflammation and keeps your body healthy. Oral health is even linked to your mental wellbeing (after all, toothaches can make you feel miserable), and dental disorders can seriously influence your self-esteem.
Dental insurance can help you afford the regular care, and even more complicated procedures, that keep your chompers in pristine condition. And with better oral health, you’ll protect your overall mental and physical health, too.
Interested in getting dental insurance?
You’re in luck! Dental insurance doesn’t have an Open Enrollment Period, which means you can sign up for a plan anytime. Keep in mind that most plans make you wait six to 12 months before you can use them. Fortunately, Stride offers simple, affordable plans that you can start using the very next month. Prices start at just $20 per month, and each one includes the quality benefits you need to stay healthy.
