Oral health is not only crucial to have a beautiful smile, but it gives insight into your overall well being. Our mouths can tell us if a severe health condition is present in our bodies. If there are excess bacteria and inflammation that creates gum disease, it could be linked to you having diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, or endocarditis.
Your mouth is the first part of the digestive system, and teeth assist in breaking down food. If you have problems with your dental health or have pain, it’s possible you won’t eat enough or get sufficient nutrients, which can lead to malnutrition.
We’re sure you don’t want any of these things for you and your loved ones. Getting checkups and procedures done in your mouth will ensure you’re living a healthy life. This is why dental insurance is just as vital as investing in general health care.
If you don’t know where to start when choosing a dental insurance plan, we’re here to give you some tips.
What is Dental Insurance?
In many cases, your general health insurance only covers going to a doctor’s office, emergency hospital visits, and other things linked with overall health. With some plans, you’ll have the option to add supplemental insurance, which isn’t already covered in your general health insurance.
Examples of these are dental, vision, hearing, and mental health care. All of these aspects play a role in your well being, and if you have problems in these areas, you’ll need to see the specialists.
Dental insurance can cover checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, procedures, implants, dentures, and braces. See more about dental plans here as some offer more coverage than others.
Dental care coverage can be for an individual, family, or fall under one of the three primary groups. These are the Preferred Provider Network, Indemnity, and Dental Health Managed Organizations.
Our Tips for Choosing a Dental Health Insurance Plan
Understand the Needs of Your Family
Dental health is essential, but it varies from person to person on what types of things they need. You should look at your specific family’s needs to help determine how much coverage to get.
When you have young children, dentists can give them special treatments like X-rays, fluoride, and braces in their teenage years. Finding a plan that includes these things for children can save you a lot of money.
Traditional metal braces, on average, cost $3,000 to $5,000. This is a huge out of pocket expense if you don’t have dental insurance, and imagine if more than one child needs braces.
On the other hand, you might need other things included in your plan if you’re supporting older adults. As we age, our teeth become weak and are more prone to cracking, diseases, and can fall out. You’ll want a dental plan with coverage on needs such as dentures, implants, gum disease procedures, and tooth sensitivity if seniors are on your plan.
Ask for a Bundle with Your Health Care Provider
Many overall health insurance companies also provide supplemental coverage. If you’re satisfied with your provider, you should ask them if you can add dental insurance to your premium.
A bonus to doing this is that you’ll only have to remember one payment, and all of your coverage is paid for. In many cases adding on dental insurance to your health care is cheaper than starting a new policy with another company, and you’ll still get great benefits.
This is excellent for families with busy schedules. You only have to remember one network of doctors, talk with one customer service representative, and pay one bill when you bundle your insurances together.
Make Sure the Network of Dentists is in Your Area
Depending on the insurance plan, you’ll have to go to dentists within your network to get optimal coverage. No one wants to drive hours, just for a cleaning. If you have children who are scheduled at different times, it can start to get frustrating driving so far for the dentist.
Instead, go around your town to the dentist’s offices and ask them which insurances they accept. If you find one you really like, you can look into the companies they work with. Then, when an emergency happens, you’ll only be down the road and not hours away.
The Bottom Line
Having a charming smile gives us confidence, but it’s also a gateway to our overall health. Keeping your mouth, gums, and teeth healthy can ensure a life with less medical problems. Dental insurance is vital for those with families.
There are so many insurance companies out there, and it can seem overwhelming to choose what’s the best for you and your loved ones. Use our tips to help you narrow down a good plan and keep your smile healthy.
