It is no longer news that dental insurance is often different from medical insurance. The reason for the above has links to the fact that all along, the dental and medical fields have always been at difference from one another. And for this reason, insurance companies see dental insurance differently from medical insurance.
However, the aim of this article is to adduce reasons why dental insurance should not be separate from medical insurance.
WHY DENTAL AND MEDICA INSURANCE SHOULD NOT BE SEPARATE
First and foremost, it is not in contention that our oral Health has direct links to our general health. The oral cavity is the gateway to our bodies and internal organs. And lots of things in the mouth can be indicative of kidney diseases, heart diseases, diabetes, etc. and vice versa. An as such, you cannot reasonably cure the sores or other things in the mouth indicating kidney diseases without curing the kidney disease itself.
Similarly, our mouths are the entry point to our respiratory and digestive systems. And some of the bacteria that enter through the mouth can cause diseases.
Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation connected with a serious form of gum diseases equally play roles in certain diseases. And also, diseases such as diabetes and HIV/Aids have the capacity to lower the body’s resistance to infections that attack it and consequently make oral health problems more severe.
In a similar vein, the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care which include brushing the mouth daily, flossing and keeping bacteria under control. However, lack of proper oral health care can lead to oral infection like gum diseases and tooth decay.
HOW IT WORKS IN DENTAL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
In a nutshell, our oral health has links to our general health just like our medical health equally goes a long way in determining our oral health. And it is this connectivity that makes it imperative that Dental insurance and medical insurance be in one insurance policy. And not separate. The reason is that the health status of the oral cavity in a long way determines our overall medical health.
Secondly, since our Health insurance policies (whether Dental or medical) deal directly with creating relationships with hospitals. And these hospitals most cases have department such as dental, optometry etc under one roof, it becomes important that one singular policy can/ should cover both oral and overall medical checks.
SOME DENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT OUR MEDICAL HEALTH
Our dental/oral health can contribute to various diseases and conditions including
- Cardiovascular disease: it has been observed that heart diseases, strokes and clogged Arteries are most often linked to infection and inflammation caused by oral bacteria.
- Pneumonia: certain bacteria in our mouth can be moved into our lungs and consequently cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases
- Endocarditis: this is used to describe the infection of the endocardium. The endocardium is the innermost layer of the heart chambers. And extents over projecting structures such as the valves, chordaetendineae and papillary muscles. Which occurs when bacteria and germs from another part of the body mouth move through our bloodstream and cause diseases
- Pregnancy and birth complications: peritonitis are serious gum infection that damages gums and destroys the jawbone. And usually caused by poor oral hygiene has been linked to premature birth and even low birth weight.
SOME MEDICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT OUR ORAL HEALTH
- HIV/Aids – oral health problems such as partial mucosal lesions are common in people who have HIV/Aids
- Diabetes: Diabetes puts our gum to risks through the reduction of our bodies’ resistance to infections. Thus, this makes gum disease more frequent and severe among people who are diabetic patients. Research has also revealed that people who have gum diseases find it more difficult to control their blood sugar. And therefore, regular periodontal checks help in diabetes control.
- Osteoporosis: this is a bone weakening disease associated with periodontal bone loss as well as tooth loss. Certain drugs which is for the treatment of osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to our jaw bones.
- Alzheimer’s disease: this is progressive diseases that destroy memory. And other vital mental function and mostly caused by bad oral health.
HOW TO PROTECT OUR ORAL HEALTH
- Replace tooth brushes at least every three months or sooner if the bristles are bad
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft bristled brush using fluoride tooth paste
- Floss daily
- Go for regular dental checkup and cleaning
- And always contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises
CONCLUSION (medical and dental insurance)
From the above, it is our position that our oral/dental health goes a long way in determining our general/medical health. In other words, taking good care of one is invariably means taking care of the other. And as such, the separation of dental and medical insurance is not advisable. Also, taking good care of our oral health means taking care of our overall health. Thus, covering both by one insurance policy is apt. So that a visit to the Hospital with an insurance card can take care of dental and overall medical checks.
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