Individual Dental Insurance: 5 Reasons Why It’s Essential

Many self-employed people don’t have dental insurance. They may think it’s too expensive. Plus, they may feel they are too busy growing their company to make time for dental exams. So, they put off going to the dentist until they experience pain.

Avoiding the dentist can lead to costly oral health and medical conditions. However, seeing the dentist for regular cleanings and exams can prevent a lot of painful problems. In addition to tooth and gum maintenance, a dental checkup can reveal symptoms of diabetes, oral cancer, hypertension, heart disease and more.

Individual dental insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are five reasons why dental insurance is essential.

1. Keeps teeth and gums healthy

Daily brushing and flossing are essential for routine care of your teeth and gums. But to maintain a healthy smile, you need regular oral health checkups and professional cleanings. While checking your teeth, the dentist will evaluate the healthiness of your teeth and gums. The dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. If it’s not removed, the bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease. But with individual dental insurance, preventive exams and cleanings should be covered at 100%.

2. Identifies medical conditions

Many medical experts say that the healthiness of your mouth is an indicator of overall wellness. That’s because, during an exam, your dentist may see signs of health problems. These include symptoms of diabetes, acid reflux, cancer, osteoporosis, Crohn’s, anemia and kidney disease. By getting a dental exam once or twice a year, the dentist can track your oral wellness and overall health changes. It’s time well spent.

3. Protects financial health

Individual dental insurance coverage helps people cover unplanned dental expenses. Procedures such as fillings, crowns and root canals can be costly. With insurance, you won’t have to pay the total cost out-of-pocket. And, if you use an in-network dentist, your dental benefits will go further.  See how much dental procedures cost by ZIP Code by using our out-of-network dental cost estimator.

4. Offers immediate coverage

Most individual dental insurance plans don’t have waiting periods for exams and cleanings. You can get immediate access to coverage. If there is a waiting period, it usually applies to higher-cost procedures. But you can start or resume preventive dental care right away with regular exams and cleanings once or twice a year.

5. Provides peace of mind

Paying out-of-pocket for dental procedures can be expensive. With individual dental coverage, insurance helps cover the bill. You can have peace of mind knowing that you can afford to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Individual dental insurance is available to anyone who wants it. But it’s especially necessary for those without access to a group dental plan offered through an employer. Review these individual dental and vision insurance plans to get an idea of what’s out there.

Sources and References:
Health
The Healthy
Ameritas
American Dental Association