Regularly Visiting the Dentist could lead to Lower Healthcare Costs
Regular preventative dental visits are linked to improved health outcomes and lower long-term medical costs.
The advantages of having your teeth cleaned extend beyond dental care. According to Mayo Clinic research, regular cleanings may also help prevent more serious health problems in people with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Visiting the dentist regularly can help curb these issues and lower total healthcare costs.
The study, published in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, looked at how preventative oral care affects the costs of diabetes and coronary artery disease care. According to the findings, regular dental cleanings and examinations significantly save total health care costs.
Surprisingly, one of the primary reasons people avoid going to the dentist is cost, as many health insurance plans do not cover dental care.
Below is a deeper look at the study’s implications for your health and finances.
Previous research has linked periodontal disease (infection of the gums, or the tissues that hold your teeth together) to other medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Due to this fact, the Mayo Clinic research team set out to assess how regular, preventive dentistry might impact overall spending on health care.
The issue is especially pertinent because previous research indicates that the bacteria responsible for gum disease can travel throughout the body, causing systemic inflammation. Furthermore, poor oral health has been linked to a variety of health problems. Aside from diabetes and heart disease, there is a link between poor oral health and pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.
According to Cindy Zhou, MD, a periodontal surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, the mechanisms underlying the link between periodontal disease and other health conditions are still being investigated. Still, research has consistently found that oral bacteria can spread beyond the mouth and contribute to other health issues.
Oral Care is Linked to Overall Health
According to Deepik Dhama, DDS, a dentist, and owner of multiple dental clinics supported by Pacific Dental Services, the same bacteria that causes gum disease has been found in plaque associated with heart attacks and strokes. Oral infections can also raise blood sugar levels and make diabetes management more difficult; and uncontrolled diabetes can raise blood sugar in the mouth.
According to Arsenault, the risk of oral health issues increases with age because many medications reduce saliva flow, contributing to dry mouth and tooth decay. Aging also increases the risk of gum disease.
Periodontal disease treatment has been shown in studies to reduce inflammation and improve other systemic health conditions. “Preventative dental care and screenings help preserve your teeth while also removing harmful bacteria that may exacerbate current conditions and lead to bigger problems,” Dhama explained. Dental care is an essential component of overall health.
Costs can Stop People from Visting the Dentist
Many people avoid dental care coverage because it is an additional cost. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50% of adults in the United States aged 18 to 64 do not have dental care; 22% of those with dental care coverage did not see a dentist in the previous year.
Furthermore, when people retire, they lose their provider’s dental insurance. Because Medicare does not cover dental care, dental care must be paid for out of pocket. In 2017, only 30% of those 65 and older had dental insurance. As a result, many people, particularly older adults, forego routine care.
The American Dental Association recommends that people visit a dentist at least once a year to have their teeth cleaned and examined, if not twice a year or quarterly depending on their underlying health.
Regular dental exams can help detect health problems and intervene early. Delaying care allows oral conditions to worsen, become more expensive, and begin to affect nutrition, socialization, overall health, and quality of life.
See the full article on health.com for more information about how visiting the dentist can lower your healthcare costs
Call Prima Family Dental at 781-944-4450 and make an appointment with us today.
