Did you know that summer can be hard on your smile?  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Dental Blue, however, help you practice crucial preventive care throughout the year.  Studies indicate that extreme heat can actually harm your teeth and gums and the high temperatures, dehydration and activity surrounding the summer months make it more important than ever to maintain oral hygiene.  Unfortunately, some of the best parts about summer such as swimming, citrus fruits and drinks like oranges and lemonade, and outdoor sports are some of the worst things for your teeth.

Humidity can lead quickly to dehydration, which in turn can lead to deterioration in the oral tissue.  It’s important to stay hydrated for multiple reasons, but keep in mind your mouth needs moisture too.  To prevent dry mouth, brush and rinse regularly, drink plenty of water, and chew sugar free gum.  Gum chewing helps increase the production of saliva in your mouth which will aid in preventing the negative effects of dry mouth. (more…)

Recently my ten-year old son had an accident on the playground and broke his two front teeth.  I had no idea what to expect, but luckily our dental insurance covered most of the cost for an emergency exam, X-rays and bonding.  What could have been a huge expense wound up being almost minimal, but that experience got me thinking about the importance of dental coverage for kids.

First and foremost, I realized that having an established relationship with a dentist is surprisingly important for young children.  The day my son broke his teeth, he was scared, but the fact that he has been seeing our dentist bi-annually for the last few years made a huge difference in his comfort level and security.  A Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC dental plan covers the cost of preventive care dental visits at 100%, making it easy and affordable for you to establish that relationship.  Children can be on a family plan or a stand-alone individual plan.  Further, if you are on a family plan and insuring more than two family members, additional members are covered with no increase to your monthly premium.  That’s a good deal for growing families! (more…)

If you are age 65 or older, consider investing in your dental health by enrolling in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina dental plan.  Your preventive care will be covered at 100% and there are no waiting periods for preventive services.  In addition, a BCBSNC Senior dental plan will provide coverage for other important basic and major dental services.

The importance of health care as we age is relatively apparent, but have you ever considered why dental health matters more than ever?  For many reasons, as we get older we are at an ever increasing risk of developing oral health problems.  In fact according to SeniorLiving.Org Expert on Senior Care & Assisted Living, Chris Hawkins the following issues are some of the most serious: (more…)

Now that you’ve gotten your health insurance in place for 2016, you may be considering whether or not a dental insurance plan is right for you.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers dental coverage for individuals under 65 as well as Senior plans and if you think oral health isn’t important, you may want to think again.  Seeing your dentist on a regular basis does more for your health than give you a pretty smile.  Regular dental check-ups can tell your dentist a lot about your overall health and whether or not you may be developing certain health conditions. (more…)

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”  – Thich Nhat Hanh

There’s almost nothing sweeter than a beautiful smile, but almost nothing worse than teeth or gums that are causing you pain or discomfort.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and Dental Blue can help.  Having a dental plan that provides for routine oral exams, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and X-rays is an important part of oral maintenance and preventive care.  With a large network of dental providers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a trusted name when it comes to both health and dental insurance.

Although without a Qualifying Life Event you may not be able to obtain health insurance outside of Open Enrollment, under the laws of the ACA you can still get dental coverage.  Because dental insurance is not subject to the guidelines of Special Enrollment and Qualifying Life Events, you can enroll in a Dental Blue plan at any time during the year. (more…)

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”  – Thich Nhat Hanh

There’s almost nothing sweeter than a beautiful smile, but almost nothing worse than teeth or gums that are causing you pain or discomfort.  That is where Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and Dental Blue can help.  Having a dental plan that provides for routine oral exams, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and X-rays is an important part of oral maintenance and preventive care.  With a large network of dental providers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a trusted name when it comes to both health and dental insurance.

Although without a Qualifying Life Event you may not be able to obtain health insurance outside of Open Enrollment, under the laws of the ACA you can get dental coverage.  Because dental insurance is not subject to the guidelines of Special Enrollment and Qualifying Life Events, you can enroll in a Dental Blue plan at any time during the year.

Dental Blue for Individuals allows you to visit any licensed dentist you choose within the network, provides for two annual cleanings at no additional cost, has no waiting period for preventive care and includes coverage for fillings, gum treatments, extractions, crowns, bridges and more.  With preventive services covered at 100%, there is no reason to let your smile slide.

Although routine oral care may not seem imperative to your health, medical experts have linked periodontal (gum) disease to stroke, heart disease, diabetes, pre-term or low-birth weight babies and other health issues.  Furthermore, nearly 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease.  With proper daily dental care, however, having regular dental checkups can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and related disorders.

This summer, give yourself something to smile about!  Get Dental Blue for individuals and make oral health a part of your regular preventive care maintenance.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Need Dental Insurance and over Age 65?  Blue Cross Blue Shield has just the perfect product for YOU!

Medical experts have linked periodontal (gum) disease to stroke, heart disease,diabetes and other health issues. Nearly 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. But with proper daily dental care, regular dental checkups can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and related disorders. Choose Dental Blue for Seniors and you can take a big step toward protecting your overall health. Coverage you can smile about With Dental Blue for Seniors, you’re covered for a broad range of dental services, including routine fillings and extractions, plus major services like crowns, bridges and dentures. Coverage also includes preventive care. That means you can get checkups and cleanings twice per benefit period, and that supports better oral health. And there are no waiting periods for cleanings, routine oral exams and other diagnostic and preventive services.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

The information above is from Dental Blue For Seniors 2013 Blue Cross Blue Shield Product Brochure.