Many parents wonder if their toddler needs dental insurance and the answer is yes!
A lifetime of good oral health habits starts young. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends booking an appointment with a dentist no later than your child’s first birthday. Some dental professionals prefer to see young patients as soon as their first tooth comes in. Investing in dental insurance for the entire family ensures that everyone, no matter their age, will have good oral health.
Here are our top three reasons why toddlers need dental insurance:
1. Early oral health habits lead to a healthy smile and mouth
Children are more likely to continue positive oral health habits, such as seeing a dentist and keeping a good oral hygiene routine, as they grow. Additionally, when toddlers visit the dentist by age one, the dentist can begin monitoring or correcting oral health concerns before they become serious problems.
Seeing the dentist and practicing good oral hygiene helps toddlers protect their teeth as they grow. Even though baby teeth fall out, they still play an important role. Keep baby teeth healthy by brushing them twice daily with a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. Parents can begin using fluoride toothpaste as soon as their child can spit.
Once your toddler has two teeth next to each other, they should begin flossing. Click here for tips on teaching your kids how to floss. Have children brush with your supervision and assistance until they can brush by themselves (generally around age seven).
2. Avoid tooth decay
Tooth decay is a serious disease that can cause infection in other parts of the body. Toddlers with tooth decay are more likely to have oral and overall health problems as they grow up. Tooth decay may lead to cavities, and untreated cavities may cause pain and infections. Poor oral health in kids may cause “problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning,” according to the CDC.
Toddlers with dental insurance have a lower risk of untreated cavities, which are associated with:
- Iron deficiency
- Malnutrition and disordered eating, including low vitamin D and calcium
- Obesity
If your toddler is on your dental coverage plan, it is easier to prevent and treat tooth decay early by removing plaque buildup.
3. Dental coverage for toddlers helps you save on dental costs
When your toddler is covered under your dental insurance plan, you won’t have to pay for dental visits out of pocket. Most dental plans cover exams, cleanings and other diagnostic or preventive services at 100%. Your plan may also cover restorative treatments.
How do I sign my toddler up for dental coverage?
Having a baby or adopting a child counts as a qualifying life event, which means you can change your dental benefits. Check with your Human Resources department for the process your employer requires to modify benefits, or login to DeltaDentalVA.com to add a new covered dependent. You can also add dependents during your employer’s open enrollment period. Just choose family coverage and list your child as a new dependent.
If your toddler wasn’t signed up for dental benefits as a baby, reach out to your benefits administrator, broker or Delta Dental’s Customer Service.
Not covered? You can sign up for a Delta Dental plan that meets your family’s needs.
When you opt for dental coverage for your child, you invest in a lifetime of healthy smiles.