Why Do You Need Insurance for Dentistry?
Proper dental treatment is important. Dental disease does more than just affect your ability to eat and speak; it is also a key factor affecting your overall health. Poor oral health has proven to have an adverse effect on several chronic and acute medical conditions. Dental disease is the most common human health condition worldwide, and it is completely preventable. Fellow Americans with dental benefits are far more likely to visit the dentist, take their children to the dentist, receive beneficial restorative care, and therefore experience better oral and overall health.
When adults and children are not treated for dental disease, there are now significant health and cost implications. By age eight, over half of the children have tooth decay, and more than 25% of adults from 20 to 64 will have active tooth decay. By age 35, almost half of the population will have some form of periodontal disease, which includes gingivitis and periodontitis.
The Health Benefits of Lincoln Dental Insurance
There are thousands of medical conditions, but there are only three dental conditions:
- Tooth decay, dental cavities.
- Gum disease, periodontal disease.
- Dental trauma, for example, a fractured tooth.
When it comes to dental treatment, the earlier you begin, the better the outcome. Applying fluoride varnish can prevent cavities in baby teeth, and dental sealants on children’s teeth prevent most cavities. Dental exams should begin at one year of age. By starting early, your dentist can diagnose abnormalities that might lead to dental disease or other issues, and toddlers can become comfortable with dental treatment. When baby teeth appear, both parents and children can learn together proper oral hygiene techniques, such as proper brushing and dietary choices to prevent tooth decay.
Many of the same preventive treatments are also relevant for adults, such as early disease diagnosis at regular exams and preventative dental cleaning to keep plaque from forming. Keeping plaque and tartar in check is important because they also cause periodontal disease. X-rays can detect both tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Your Oral Health Connection
Good oral care protects your teeth and gums, but poor oral health will have a wider, more adverse effect on your overall health. When bacteria in your mouth reach a level causing oral disease, this inflammatory process may spread systemically.
Current research does not indicate an absolute cause and effect of oral disease on systemic diseases, but rather documented relationships and associations, including overlapping risk factors. Common systemic conditions that could have an association with your oral health and disease include:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Several cancers
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sjogren’s disease
- Associations with pregnancy outcomes
- Radiation therapies
Comorbidity will also play a role in the association between oral disease and systemic disease. For example, if you smoke, you have an increased risk of periodontal disease and an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
Lincoln Dental Insurance Pays for Itself
Both you and your employer understand the full impact of dental care when it comes to your benefits, which support your health and productivity.
When considering your overall health, the implications of the mouth and associated dental diseases are too often an afterthought, despite the significant associations between oral health and medical conditions. Preventing and treating all dental issues should be part of every healthcare conversation.
Learn about our practice and payment options here.