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1. Healthy teeth mean fewer absences from school. "Pain in the mouth can keep kids awake at night, distract them from playing with their friends and make it difficult to eat," says Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. More than 51 million school hours are lost to dental-related illness each year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease-five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. When dental problems are treated and children are no longer in pain, both their learning and school attendance improve.
2. Dentists can be a first line of defense against many diseases. Research indicates that there are 120 different diseases that have signs or symptoms that can be detected during a dental visit. "Every organ in the body has diseases with oral manifestations," says Dr. Navarro. Dentists may be the first to spot the warning signs of diseases such as oral cancer and diabetes. Recent research indicates that diabetes is associated with an abnormally high degree of gum inflammation and localized bleeding. Diabetics also have a higher than normal risk for periodontal disease. Treating periodontal disease and reducing bacteria in the body are also important in the overall management of diabetes.
3. Good oral health is essential to your overall health. Oral health problems can prevent you from achieving your full potential. It may cause work absences, and affect your performance and productivity. A healthy smile is part of a healthy body.
4. Good oral health can help protect your unborn child. Dental health during pregnancy is important for the overall well-being and safety of both mother and baby. Although it was once believed that women should postpone dental treatment in the first and last trimester, evidence now shows that regular dental exams are not only safe, they are imperative. "Rising hormone levels can cause painless, but harmful changes in women's gums that may go undetected. Left untreated these changes can lead to early forms of gum disease," says Dr. Navarro. Studies have also shown that an infection in the mouth can trigger a series of events resulting in a premature birth, which can pose serious problems for the baby. It is estimated women with gum disease are seven times more likely to have babies that are born too early and too small.
5. Visiting a participating Delta Dental dentist is convenient. In most cases, your dentist even takes care of filing the claim to Delta Dental. If you don't have a dentist, you can find a participating dentist in your area by visiting our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com and clicking "Find a Dentist" on the left navigation bar.
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