From Florida Blue
As we go about our daily lives, it's easy to overlook two crucial aspects of our overall health: our eyes and teeth. Many people skip regular vision and dental checkups and only see a dentist or eye doctor when something goes wrong. But neglecting these areas can put your health at risk in unexpected ways.
Skipping checkups can be risky
Nearly half of adults over age 30 in the U.S. suffer from some form of gum disease. However, many of us do not go to a dentist or dental clinic each year for a checkup. Similarly, an estimated 93 million adults in the U.S. have conditions that put them at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past year.
Related: When the ER isn't the best option.
Routine dental and vision exams are important to overall health and can help uncover serious conditions in other body parts.
How gum disease affects your body
Your teeth and gums greatly affect your overall health and well-being. Let’s look at one common example: gum disease. Nearly 80% of adults in Florida have experienced tooth loss due to decay or gum disease. Also, having gum disease is linked to nearly 60 serious health conditions, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Poor pregnancy outcomes, like premature birth and low birth weight
Dental exams help spot gum disease and prevent tooth decay. That’s why visiting the dentist at least once a year is recommended. And if you're pregnant, it's especially important to visit a dentist regularly, since 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.
Your eyes can be windows to other health issues
Besides checking your vision and getting your glasses or contact lens prescriptions updated, eye exams can reveal issues in other parts of your body. Many serious health conditions can be detected during an eye exam, including:
- Diabetes: The leading cause of blindness in American adults
- Hypertension: One in three American adults has high blood pressure
Adults under 65 should get an eye exam at least every two years, and those 65 and over should go yearly. However, if you have a family history or are at risk of eye disease, you may need to visit the eye doctor more frequently.10
A dental or vision health insurance plan can help you stay on top of your visits and keep costs down so you can focus on what matters — a clean bill of health!
Need help finding affordable care?
If you don’t have insurance or think you can’t afford dental or vision care, a community specialist or registered nurse can help. You can stop by your local Florida Blue Center in person or connect with them by phone or even video chat for help finding affordable vision or dental care, like a low- or no-cost clinic or other community resources that may be available. There is no extra cost for this type of help, whether you have a Florida Blue plan or not. Find a location near you at FloridaBlue.com/Center.
Learn more about health insurance
If you’d like to shop for a dental or health insurance plan that includes vision coverage, you can contact a local licensed Florida Blue agent, visit your local Florida Blue Center, or call 1-800-876-2227 for help.
