Why It’s Essential to Look After Your Dental Health

Did you know that dental health can impact your overall health? 

Over 100 diseases can appear in your mouth, making regular check-ups essential. Your family dentist can not only help you maintain good oral health but also help prevent serious health complications. Organizing the right level of dental insurance can allow you to access the ongoing dental care you need for you and your family to stay healthy. 

Benefits of good dental health

Some benefits of good dental health include:

1. Keep your gums healthy

By brushing and flossing regularly, you can keep your gums healthy. Regular cleaning helps to remove food particles that can lead to harmful bacteria causing plaque build-up, which can lead to gum disease.

2. Healthier lungs

Maintaining good dental health can help prevent bacteria in your mouth from spreading to your lungs, which may lead to respiratory infections such as pneumonia and pulmonary disease. 

3. Reducing the risk of heart issues

Bacteria from your mouth can also spread to other parts of your body via your bloodstream, including your heart. If this occurs, it can increase your risk of a heart attack. The American College of Cardiology estimates that gum disease can increase the risk of a heart attack by almost 50%. 

4. Reduces the chance of diabetes

Almost 35 million Americans currently live with diabetes. In addition, studies have proven that people who have gum disease are nearly 50% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes because gum disease causes inflammation which can make it harder for you to use insulin effectively. 

Additionally, treating gum disease can help to improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes, which can help to decrease the progression of this disease.

5. Help to reduce the risk of cancer

Gum disease can also contribute to specific types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. Although the connection isn’t fully understood yet by researchers, it’s thought that bacteria in the mouth may help speed up cancer cell growth. The risks may also be higher if you smoke and have gum disease. 

6. Reduce risks in pregnancy

Poor oral health can cause additional risks in pregnancy. Research has identified that poor oral health can lead to low birth weights and premature births, leading to serious complications. Getting the right insurance plan can help ensure you have the right coverage for all your pregnancy health needs.

Tips for good oral health

Here are some tips to help you maintain your dental health:

1. Look out for early warning signs of gum issues and gum disease, such as ongoing bad breath, red or swollen gums, loose teeth or pain when chewing and let your dentist know immediately so you can seek out gum disease treatment options.

2. Get your teeth cleaned and checked at least twice yearly.

3. Inform your dentist of any health complications or issues, such as heart disease or diabetes

The right coverage for your dental needs

If you’re looking for the best dental insurance plans to cover your or your children’s dental health, our dedicated and locally-based health insurance agents are here to help. We specialize in researching the right health insurance for you, including Blue Options, Medicare dental & vision coverage and individual or family plans.

Our agents specialize in helping people living in North Carolina get the right health insurance for their budget and health needs. Get in touch with the team today to arrange a quote or find out about full-coverage dental insurance options.