5 Facts About Dental Insurance After Retirement

You’re looking into retirement (hooray!), which likely means you’ll no longer be covered under your employer’s dental insurance (boo!).

You may not know where to start when deciding which dental coverage is best for you. Luckily, Altus Dental makes it easy for AAA members in Massachusetts to find quality, affordable dental care.

Here’s what you should know before choosing how to go about this important next step in your health journey.

Fact 1: Most dental care isn’t covered by Medicare.

Many folks assume that once they retire, their Medicare plans will cover dental work like cleanings, fillings and dentures, but that is not the case. Medicare will only cover certain dental procedures that you’d receive in the hospital, leaving your basic oral health in limbo.

With an individual plan through Altus Dental, you can get coverage that compares to employer-sponsored insurance.

Fact 2: Oral Health is important for your overall wellbeing.

It’s no secret that taking good care of your teeth and gums keeps them healthy, but how does a healthy mouth affect the rest of your body? In many ways, bad oral health can be the catalyst for troublesome health issues, as it’s been linked to both heart disease and diabetes. Some studies have even shown a correlation between gum disease and Alzheimer’s.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 68% of people ages 65 and older are affected by gum disease, a condition that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Clinical research shows gum health and mouth bacteria are associated with conditions including:

Heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes.
Pulmonary disease.
Osteoporosis.
Bacterial pneumonia.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

By maintaining dental insurance through your retirement, you’re taking an important step in making sure your overall health is protected, too.

Fact 3: Those with dental insurance get checked regularly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, folks with dental insurance are much more likely to visit a dentist on a consistent basis than those without, as paying out-of-pocket can be costly. Easy accessibility to routine dental care through individual dental insurance is the simplest way to maintain your healthy smile – and be prepared for the unexpected.

Fact 4: Retirees face unique dental needs.

Dental expenses can increase with age due to the kinds of services and procedures seniors may need like tooth extractions, implants and dentures. Offsetting these costs with individual dental insurance ensures that you get the care you need, so you can keep enjoying your retirement.

Fact 5: Altus Dental can help you stay covered and worry-free.

With Altus Dental through AAA Northeast, AAA members living in Massachusetts can get quality care and coverage, making oral health a breeze.

Explore the benefits and enroll now.