Life is simply harder when you have an autoimmune disease, but if you’re currently living with one, you likely don’t need anyone to tell you this. Just figuring out what is going on can be quite the arduous journey, let alone finding the right doctor and treatment. But there is one tool that people often overlook—dental insurance. While it might seem unrelated, using it to receive timely dental care is proven to not only help someone’s smile, but their entire body as well.
Autoimmune Conditions & Oral Health
A wide array of autoimmune conditions can cause problems in virtually every area of the body, and the mouth is no exception. Specific ones that have been shown to affect oral health include Celiac Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren Syndrome, and Crohn’s Disease.
They are often connected with gum inflammation, a higher occurrence of gum disease, and sores that take a long time to heal. While these might seem like relatively minor symptoms, oral problems have a way of affecting just about everything when it comes to health.
In addition to making someone more likely to develop an infection, loose teeth, and even tooth loss, dental problems often precede nutrition and digestion issues because a person isn’t able to eat whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats that require quite a bit of chewing. This can lead to deficiencies in calories as well as vital vitamins and minerals, which can make managing an autoimmune condition more difficult.
How Your Dental Insurance Can Help
Most dental insurance plans will cover preventive care like checkups and cleanings 100%, and these appointments offer a lot of benefits beyond stopping cavities.
Dentists are fully aware of how various autoimmune diseases affect oral health, so they can provide targeted treatment to reduce inflammation, infection, and sores. This, in turn, reduces the amount of harmful bacteria in the body, which can prevent them from entering the bloodstream and potentially affecting already embattled organs.
Use It Before You Lose It
Every dental insurance plan has what is called an annual or yearly maximum, which is the highest amount of money it will pay for care in a given year. What’s important to know is that this amount (which is typically $1,000-1,500 a year) resets every calendar year or 12 months no matter how much money you have left. It doesn’t rollover, meaning if you’ve only spent $200 on your dental care and have $800 left, that $800 will simply disappear.
For your health, smile, and wallet, taking advantage of your dental insurance is a wise decision. You can schedule an appointment that won’t cost you anything out of pocket, receive tailored health advice from a professional who understands your unique situation, and take advantage of yet another tool in your healthcare journey. It’s a win-win-win, which makes life just a little easier despite living with an autoimmune disease.
About the Author
Dr. Todd Balington has been helping his patients protect their oral and overall health since 2006. He understands the unique struggles of people with autoimmune conditions and can tailor his approach to suit their individual needs. His practice is also in-network with several popular PPO dental insurance plans, making his personalized care easily accessible and affordable. He can help you take control of your health while also having an attractive smile—click here or call (940) 383-3300 to schedule an appointment today.