888-765-5400BCBSNC and Dental Health – Why it Matters as We Age
If you are age 65 or older, consider investing in your dental health by enrolling in a Blue Cross Blue Shield 
of North Carolina dental plan. Your preventive care will be covered at 100% and there are no waiting periods for preventive services. In addition, a BCBSNC Senior dental plan will provide coverage for other important basic and major dental services.
The importance of health care as we age is relatively apparent, but have you ever considered why dental health matters more than ever? For many reasons, as we get older we are at an ever increasing risk of developing oral health problems. In fact according to SeniorLiving.Org Expert on Senior Care & Assisted Living, Chris Hawkins the following issues are some of the most serious:
- Loss of dental coverage after retirement
- Medicare doesn’t cover most dental work
- Inadequate nutrition because of dry mouth, soreness and tooth loss
- Lack of access to dental care
- Dry mouth from medications that can lead to cavities and gum disease
According to Mr. Hawkins, only about 2% of senior Americans have dental insurance and unfortunately, the lack of dental care can lead to other more serious health issues. In fact, almost 25% of adults ages 65-74 have periodontal disease, a condition that is associated with things such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
The American Dental Association encourages all people of every age to brush twice and floss once daily, to drink water that contains fluoride, to quit smoking, and to see the dentist for regular check-ups. Unfortunately, regular check-ups, cleanings, and fillings are not covered by Medicare and these are the preventive services we need most to maintain oral health. A BCBSNC dental plan can help ensure you are able to visit your dentist on a regular basis.
For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.