Oral health and overall health: What’s the connection?

Did you know that oral health is linked to overall health? It’s true.

Studies show that gum disease has been linked to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.¹ Luckily, proper dental care and routine dental visits can help catch these issues early before they become serious (and costly).

Five of top 10 health conditions linked to oral health

According to International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, of the top 10 health conditions that cost companies the most money, five are linked directly to oral health.²

• Diabetes. Diabetes can lead to more sugar in saliva, and bad bacteria feeds off of it causing plaque build-up. This can lead to swollen, red gums known as gum disease. Learn more about diabetes and oral health.
• Heart disease. Chronic oral infections can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
• High blood pressure. Things like periodontal disease can worsen blood pressure as well as interfere with hypertension medications.³
• Cancer. Oftentimes the symptoms of oral cancers go unnoticed by patients and their doctors. Dentists and hygienists may be able to identify the signs early.
• High-risk pregnancy. Hormone levels rise during pregnancy which can cause gums to swell and bleed and may lead to gum disease. This is linked to pre-term labor and low birth weight.⁴ See tips for dental care during pregnancy.

Employers have the power to keep their employees healthy while managing the bottom line. Offering a dental plan gives employees the chance to take care of their oral health and their overall health.

Learn more about dental plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

See dental plans for small employers

See dental plans for large employers