Brush Up on Dental Health

Published October 22, 2020
Flexible Content

Brush up on dental health. Taking good care of your teeth and gums can prevent serious oral health conditions and help you maintain overall health. About 3.7 million BCBS members had a serious tooth or gum condition which include root canals, tooth loss, tooth and mouth infections, and gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Members with these conditions spent two times more annually on overall healthcare costs.

Poor oral health can affect you long term. Members diagnosed with oral health conditions are 25% more likely to suffer from heart disease, two times as likely to visit the ER or have a hospital stay, and are much more likely to suffer from autoimmune disorders, anemia, gastro-intestinal disorders or renal disease. A serious dental or gum condition may lead to a loss of 1.9 years of healthy life.

Dental visits are down 35% since last year due to COVID-19

Dental Infographic

 

Source: BCBS Health Index 2018. Commercially insured BCBS members. Analysis only includes oral health conditions identified through medical claims.

* For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Heart Disease and Oral Health

1 Source: BCBSA. Generational Survey. September 2020.