Time for a check-up! Why you should visit your dentist twice a year

Have you scheduled your dental visit this year? A simple checkup can help you avoid costly treatments, protect your overall health, and keep your smile strong.

For many people, visiting the dentist every six months is an effective way to maintain good oral health. Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque can build up in hard-to-reach areas and eventually harden into tartar, which requires professional removal. Regular visits give your dentist and hygienist the chance to examine your mouth and treat small issues early, before they become more serious or uncomfortable.  

Routine dental visits play an important role in preventing cavities and gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Early detection and treatment can help preserve your smile and avoid more complex procedures in the future.

Your oral health is also closely connected to your overall health. Many health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, can show signs in the mouth and research has linked gum disease to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and strokes. The connections may go further than you realize — here are some examples:

• Migraines — connected to oral bacteria 
• Dementia — related to gum disease
• Mental health — affected by untreated cavities and tooth loss
• Glaucoma — linked to gum disease
• Cardiovascular disease — related to gum disease
• Respiratory disease — worsened by gum infection
• Acid reflux — can be detected from tooth damage
• Kidney disease — more common with tooth loss
• Diabetes — can develop or worsen with unhealthy gums
• Pre-term baby — more likely to occur in women with gum disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis — linked to unhealthy gums

A dental visit can often help identify potential concerns before you experience noticeable symptoms, making it an important part of your preventive care routine.

Learn more about your Delta Dental benefits

To help you get the care you need, UC pays the full premium for dental insurance for eligible employees and for retirees eligible for the full UC contribution. If you’re enrolled in the Delta Dental PPO or DeltaCare plan through UC, you can manage your benefits anytime, anywhere by signing up for an online account on the Delta Dental website. When you log in to your Delta Dental account, you can:

• Review your plan details.
• Check your eligibility and claim history.
• Plan for future care with the Cost Estimator.
• View, email or print your ID card.
• Find an in-network dentist.

You can also check your remaining annual maximum and other plan details.Whether you need to check your benefits or select a new dentist, you can do it all with Delta Dental’s online tools. Get started today.