Some medical insurance companies are encouraging their patients visit the dentist. The Colgate Oral Health Report says Cigna, Aetna, and Blue Cross of Michigan are increasing benefits for preventative services after several studies linked an unhealthy mouth with other health problems.
The list of chores more fun than getting your teeth cleaned is pretty long. Jeanne will readily admits that it was last on hers. "I hated the dentist when I was a kid."
Now the Hammond woman drives to Eau Claire every twelve weeks for hygiene appointments. "I haven't been the model patient with my dental hygiene on a personal basis, so I always made sure i came in because of other health reasons," says Will.
She's not alone. Besides primary care physicians, insurance companies are recommending that patients with heart disease, diabetes, and who are pregnant should have more frequent appointments. Dentists couldn't agree more.
"The more bacteria and disease a person has in their gums, the more bacteria that get introduced into the system, not only when they're in the office getting their teeth cleaned, but also when they're brushing and flossing and eating food at home," says Dr. Thomas Hebert, of Hebert Dental.
That bacteria can gather in places like the heart causing serious complications. Dr. Hebert says a healthy mouth really translates to better overall health. "We can't separate the bacteria in our mouth form getting into the rest of the body. We are totally connected. Catching an unhealthy situation in the mouth is so treatable when it's at it's infancy, when it's small, just start to grow and cause problems. To ignore it, it just doesn't go away it only gets worse," cautions the dentist.