One common reason people don't see their dentist regularly is the cost. When one's financial situation gets tight, dental health doesn't seem as threatening as missing a rent or mortgage payment. Since one's teeth are a more long-term issue, the dental visit is often put off. However, if one stops seeing the dentist, their oral health may start to suffer. Bad oral health leads to tooth decay and gum disease, which can begin causing health problems throughout your body. 

Scientists have discovered links between the health of your teeth and gums and an elevated risk of heart attack, atherosclerosis, lung disease and stroke. A symptom of gum disease is inflamed gums. Chronic inflammation taxes the immune system and weakens it. The bacteria and inflammatory agents residing inside diseased gums can enter into the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. This can cause the blood vessels to become inflamed, which in turn increases the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis and heart attack. 

Chronic gum inflammation can set up a kind of domino effect. Gum inflammation weakens the immune system. A weakened immune system can lead to other health problems such as lung disease. When bacteria is inhaled into the lungs from the mouth and upper throat, a weakened immune system is less able to fight off bacteria and lung disease may result. Researchers are currently studying this relationship. 

Getting the right dental insurance plan can help make your dentist visits more affordable. Another benefit of dental insurance is that since you are already investing money in the insurance, you will have an incentive to use it and see your dentist. It's the regular preventative visits that pay off over the long term, because they will prevent poor oral health and the risk of health complications to the rest of the body. 

Improve your oral health. Call Meyer Group, Inc. at 314-961-7077 for more information on St. Louis dental insurance.