Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits

Around here, we think your smile is always your best feature. And we want to make sure it’s protected. In fact, did you know your oral health is an essential part of your overall health and, according to the Mayo Clinic, is linked to a whole host of conditions like heart disease, cancer, pregnancy and birth complications, pneumonia, and diabetes.

In fact, many of these are often first detected by your dentist.

So, to help set you on the right track, here are 3 steps to help you make the most of your dental coverage so you can maintain a healthy smile and boost your well-being for the year ahead.

Now that you’ve got dental coverage, it’s time to see a dentist for a checkup. If you don’t already have a family dentist, you’re not alone — it’s estimated that every year, roughly 100 million Americans don’t visit the dentist.

Many people think that they need to see a dentist only if they’re in pain or think something is wrong, but regular dental visits can contribute to a lifetime of good oral hygiene and can help prevent many serious conditions before they progress.

With our best-in-class Find A Dentist tool, you can search for a dentist near you and find providers that are covered by your network. You can even use our “Endorsements” feature to find a dentist based on factors important to you, like “Clean office” or “Good with kids.”

To get the most from your Delta Dental coverage, activate your free MySmile® account!

By putting your benefits right in the palm of your hand, you’ll have access to all your plan details, treatment history, a digital ID card, and other tools, including our unique Cost Estimator, which can help avoid any surprise expenses down the road.

To protect your oral health, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits daily.

A rock solid routine consisting of twice-daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash are all essential steps to keeping your smile in tip-top shape. Here’s a quick breakdown of what your at-home routine should look like:

• Floss between teeth and gums using an ADA-approved dental floss to help dislodge and remove food particles
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash to rinse away any lingering food particles and to help kill cavity-causing bacteria
• Brush for at least 2 minutes, two-times a day with using a soft-bristled toothbrush and an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste
• Limit sugary foods and drinks and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Avoid tobacco use

So, there you have it! 3 easy steps to help kick start your health and help you make the most of your dental benefits. Now that’s something to smile about.