Good oral health is important to maintaining your general health and well-being. Poor oral health can cause pain, poor performance, productivity loss, and a lower quality of life. Oral diseases — which range from cavities and gum disease to oral cancer — are largely preventable with a combination of professional and self-care. 1
Some of the steps you can take to maintain good oral hygiene include:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Cleaning between teeth regularly, aiming for once a day.
- Eating a well-balanced diet and making sure to limit sweets and sugary drinks.
- Visiting the dentist for routine check-ups and professional cleanings. 2
Oral disease may not always cause pain or show any easily detectible signs until the disease has reached a more serious stage. This is why routine dental check-ups are so important. Dental check-ups can also be a time when you and your provider discuss your unique risks for developing oral diseases, and how to help protect your oral health. 3
The Insurance and Benefits Trust of PORAC (IBT) provides dental insurance administered by Delta Dental to Retired Associate Members (RAM) so you can take a step in the right direction when it comes to your oral health.
Retired Associate Members (RAM) are eligible for both HMO and PPO dental coverage plans with a large, stable network of dentists. When it comes to choosing a dental plan, you want benefits that fit the needs of you and your family. Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA both offer comprehensive dental coverage, quality care and excellent customer service.
To learn more about each plan, you can visit the Dental page, or call to speak with an IBT Insurance Service Representative at (800) 655-6397, Option 1.
Featured in the August 2024 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.
1. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov ↩
2. Retrieved from National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nidcr.nih.gov ↩
3. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov ↩