PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthy habits are always top of mind at the beginning of the year, and DentalPlans.com, a leading online marketplace for dental savings plans in the U.S. and part of the Henry Schein One portfolio of solutions, is encouraging Americans to prioritize their oral health in 2021 (and beyond), so they can lead healthier lives all year round. The company is dedicated to helping consumers understand the important link between oral and overall health and has put together the tips below as a guide.
Dental Keeps More Than Your Teeth Healthy
It’s important to understand that dental care keeps more than your teeth healthy. Medical research increasingly indicates there is a link between poor dental hygiene and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Poor oral health may also make it more difficult to control diabetes and autoimmune diseases. The simple act of going to the dentist for your routine care can significantly lower your chances of respiratory disease and even pregnancy complications, including premature birth or low birth weight.
When to See the Dentist
The American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits, at intervals determined by a dentist. Some groups – such as those with braces, or who are pregnant – may be advised to visit the dentist more frequently than others, so it is important to see the dentist early in the year.
“If you haven’t seen the dentist in a while, the beginning of the year is the best time to go for your first check-up,” said Jenn Stoll, Chief Commercial Officer at DentalPlans.com. “Going in the first month or two of the year gives you enough time to find out how often your dentist recommends you visit, and fit all of those preventive appointments in. If you wait too long, you may end up inadvertently skipping crucial care.” This also allows you to prepare for a healthy year by knowing in advance what restorative work you may need throughout the year and having a plan to pay for it.
The Cost of Delaying
Delaying your first dental visit of the year can cause you to unknowingly delay necessary dental care, costing you more in the long run – money and health wise. Often, delays in receiving dental work means you have more extensive work that needs to be done, which means higher dental bills. For instance, a small cavity is easier to cope with physically and financially, compared to scaling and root planing, which can often be needed if you ignore a cavity or your oral health in general, for too long.
“Taking care of your oral health can save you money. The longer you delay, the bigger the bill tends to be,” said Stoll. “If you’re putting off care because of budget concerns, dental savings plans are designed to help you save money if you don’t have traditional dental insurance. And they activate in just 1-3 business days, so you can start taking care of your health right away.”
Find an Affordable Dental Plan
Ensuring you have a way to afford dental care is key to continuing to see the dentist for all the care you need, and to leading an overall healthier life.
Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance. They provide plan members with savings of 10-60% on most procedures, including routine care like cleanings and check-ups, as well as restorative care like crowns, bridges, implants and more. Many plans also include discounts on vision, hearing, chiropractic services and prescription drugs, along with telemedicine and other wellness savings.
Learn more about how a dental savings plans can help you take better care of your health at DentalPlans.com.
About DentalPlans.com
DentalPlans.com, founded in 1999, is a leading online dental and health savings marketplace in the U.S., helping more than a million people to affordably access quality healthcare services. Our mission is to empower consumers with the tools, information, and services that they need to live happier, healthier lives.
About Henry Schein One
Henry Schein One, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc. established in partnership with Internet Brands in 2018, is a software company providing integrated software and services to the dental industry. Headquartered in American Fork, Utah, the company offers market-leading solutions for dental practices, including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Dentrix Enterprise, Easy Dental, TechCentral, Demandforce, Sesame Communications, Lighthouse360, Officite, and DentalPlans.com as well as international companies, including Software of Excellence, Logiciel Julie, InfoMed, Axium, Power Practice and LabNet, among others. For more information, visit www.henryscheinone.com.
