For decades, dental care has remained somewhat outside of the realm of the rest of health care in the USA. Health insurance doesn’t often include dental. This requires a separate plan to buy, and dental insurance doesn’t work in the same way that most health insurance plans do.
Confusion over dental plans (and an ignorance of the importance of oral health to full body health) leads many to disregard their teeth and gums until problems arise. At that point, dental care becomes expensive, and your teeth may be badly damaged.
Dental Insurance Isn’t Dental Care
Dental insurance is for healthy people to manage their dental care. Like health insurance, it covers most of the cost of preventive care. But, unlike health insurance, it doesn’t cover catastrophic care. If you break your leg, chances are your insurance will cover most of the cost of the bill. If you break a tooth, however, you are almost on your own!
Preventive Care Saves More Than Teeth
Whether you have dental insurance, making and keeping appointments for basic preventive care is a must when it comes to your teeth and gums. While the cost of an appointment in time and dollars may be an annoyance, it’s nothing compared to the pain and expense of a decayed tooth.
Besides, when your teeth and gums aren’t healthy, your health suffers as well. Gum disease links with increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Every tooth lost increases the chance of more tooth loss and bone loss.
All this means that you should be scheduling and visiting your local Naperville dentist regardless of whether you have insurance.
Choosing a Dentist
Selecting the right dentist should be another decision that is not driven by your dental insurance plan (or lack of one). If your teeth and gums are healthy and you are young, a general dentist can handle all your oral health needs. If you have the beginnings of gum disease, a periodontist can help treat your gums. If you have previous fillings, missing teeth or other issues, restorative dentistry may be a need. Dr. Bryan Weyneth one of the best Naperville dentists, provide exceptional dental care regardless of your insurance coverage.
Failure to take care of your teeth can lead to decay, bone loss, gum disease and infections. A cavity can turn into a root canal and a root canal can lead to an extraction. The loss of one tooth can lead to a loss of surrounding teeth. And, ooth loss can result in loss of confidence and social life and difficulty getting proper nutrition due to inability to chew.
Don’t let what dental coverage you may or may not have drive your dental care. Take control, and become proactive about your oral health today. Contact Sherman Oaks Dental, home to some of the best dentists in Naperville, and schedule a visit today!