Retirement is a time to relax and return to the hobbies and skills that make you happy. While exploring new interests, we should be keeping our bodies and smiles healthy, too. One aspect of retirement that you may not have considered is losing employer-sponsored benefits, including your dental coverage. You’ve maintained a healthy smile for years – just because you’re retiring doesn’t mean you need to retire your oral health! So what options are out there for when dental benefits through an employer are no longer an option?
Unfortunately, most Americans lose dental coverage after retirement and defer to Medicare for their health coverage as a result. But basic Medicare only covers dental procedures if you need an oral exam in the hospital. Even then, there are further stipulations.
For dental care needs, Medicare Advantage may be an option. Remember that there are waiting periods when signing up ranging from six to 24 months, depending on the extent of the procedure. Some Medicare Advantage Plans provide coverage for routine dental services, like checkups or cleanings. Coverage can vary widely from plan to plan and state to state, though. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact your plan provider to learn about covered dental services.
Dental coverage providers like Hawaii Dental Service contract with Medicare Advantage to offer help paying for the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn’t cover. These plans aren’t right for everyone, so look at offerings in Hawaii to see what may work for you.
Planning for a Healthy Retirement with Individual Dental Coverage from Hawaii Dental Service
If you’re looking for the coverage that will most closely match what you previously received from your employer, Hawaii Dental Service’s individual plans will satisfy more. We offer affordable dental benefits directly to individuals who are looking for dental coverage outside of an employer. If you want to continue maintaining your oral health, individual dental plans will give you access to a large network of dentists and the coverage you need for a healthy smile. Oral health requires preventive care. That means instead of waiting for a toothache, we recommend:
- Seeing the dentist twice a year
- Following the proper daily routine
- Eating a balanced diet
Coverage from Hawaii Dental Service makes getting into the dentist’s office easy. Click here to find a dentist in your area today.
Oral health becomes more important as we age because our mouths change as we get older and they always require preventive care. Tooth loss is preventable as we age. Did you know you can keep your natural teeth into old age?Tooth decay causes tooth loss, not old age—and tooth decay is 100% preventable! That means keeping your teeth is possible as long as you’re maintaining the proper oral health care routine with your dentist.
Additionally, dry mouth, which is common for older adults, limits the amount of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles and promotes a healthy mouth. When the mouth doesn’t have enough saliva, cavities can develop. Yes, adults get cavities, too! So, take the steps today to ensure you have a healthy smile tomorrow and through retirement.
However, despite issues like cavities, dry mouth, and night time teeth grinding, about a quarter of adults 65 and older haven’t seen the dentist in the past five years. That means they’re missing valuable cleanings and oral health exams. Dentist appointments allow a trained professional to ensure problems like oral cancer or tooth decay aren’t developing.
Visits to the dentist aren’t only good for your mouth. Dental offices around the nation are adding overall health monitoring services like blood pressure checks to provide early detection of a number of diseases.
Oral health is impacted by a variety of factors, so staying on top of a healthy smile will ensure you’re not in for any surprises. As we get older, our risk of oral health problems increases. A little investment upfront may save you from more costly dental treatments in the long run. Plan now for a stress-free and healthy retirement.
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