Dental Health

Did you know that according to a recent Surgeon General's report, unchecked dental disease can lead or contribute to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and low birth weight?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental disease causes Americans to miss 164 million hours of work and 52 million hours of school each year. It remains the single most common chronic disease among children (five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever).

Thankfully, dental care is no longer limited to restorative treatment. New technology is paving the way for preventive care that lets us identify risk factors and avoid unnecessary complications. These advances include:

  • Vaccines, rinses, and chewing gums that prevent tooth decay
  • Fluoride varnishes
  • Methods of preventing the transmission of decay-producing bacteria from mother to child
  • Advanced screenings that identify those at risk for complications from advanced dental disease

By brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, you can treat dental disease early, avoid future complications, and help keep dental and health care costs down. That's why we've designed Dental Plans to give you a comprehensive basic, preventive, and diagnostic dental benefits. Register or log in to view your dental benefits.

So be sure to take full advantage of your coverage, and ask your dentist about what you can do to help keep your mouth healthy.