Are You Taking Care of Your Chompers? Why Dental Coverage is Important to Your Health

It is common knowledge that you should visit your dentist twice a year for regular check ups, but does that mean everyone actually follows this rule of thumb and visits their dentist for preventive care? According to recent studies, some reasons listed for not going to the dentist include lack of dental coverage, the cost of a dental visit, and the lack of unusual dental issues that require care.

Did you know that dental insurance covers preventive services like standard cleanings, exams, and X-rays?

Coverage is often very affordable—typically costing less than your daily cup of coffee. The average cost of dental insurance varies between $15 and $50 a month, depending on your state.

Having coverage is a great incentive to schedule regular check ups. Dental plans emphasize preventive care, saving you money in the long run from more major procedures that may result from not visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Dental insurance not only covers preventive care, but basic procedures like fillings and extractions and major procedures like crowns and root canals as well.

Aside from regular check ups with your dentist, here are three things you can do to make sure your chompers stay healthy:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

The fluoride in toothpaste helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association, fluoride is completely safe and occurs naturally in varying amounts in water sources.

Avoid sugary drinks.

The sugar in your soda and the bacteria in your mouth form an acid that attacks your teeth and weakens tooth enamel. Limit your intake of these sugary drinks, including soda, carbonated beverages, sweet teas, etc. to prevent tooth decay.

Quit smoking.

Smoking can lead to gum disease, mouth cancer, and staining, as well as a host of other dental problems. Visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your teeth, gums, and whole mouth are healthy. Your dentist may also be able to provide information on smoking cessation programs to help you kick the habit.

 

Your ARC representative is available to walk you through your options for dental insurance and other supplemental coverage, including vision, travel insurance, and critical illness coverage. Contact us today for more information!