Do toddlers need dental insurance?
Many parents wonder if their toddler needs to go on their dental plan. The short answer is yes!
Good oral health starts young! That’s why leading dentistry and oral health organizations recommend children see a dentist within 6 months of getting their first tooth and no later than age 1. Investing in a dental plan for the entire family ensures that everyone, no matter their age, will have good oral health.
Learn why with these top four reasons why toddlers need dental insurance:
1. Dental insurance promotes lifelong oral health habits
Dental insurance will help establish good oral health habits early on. Children are much more likely to continue those habits, such as seeing a dentist and keeping a good oral hygiene routine, as they grow. Additionally, when toddlers visit the dentist by 1, the dentist can help monitor or correct any oral health concerns before they become serious problems.
Toddlers need to see the dentist and practice good oral hygiene to protect their teeth as they grow. Even though baby teeth fall out, they are still very important. Keep baby teeth healthy by brushing them with small amounts of fluoride toothpaste – the amount varies with their age between birth and 3 years old.
2. Avoid tooth decay with dental insurance
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and is nearly 100% preventable. Toddlers who have tooth decay are more likely to have oral and overall health problems as they grow. Tooth decay leads to cavities, and untreated cavities can cause pain and infections. Poor oral health in kids can cause “problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning,” according to the CDC.
3. Dental insurance promotes visits to the dentist
Research shows that children covered by dental insurance are more likely to visit the dentist for preventive care. In fact, 90% of children covered by dental insurance visited the dentist in 2021, while only 81% of children without insurance visited the dentist. It demonstrates that dental insurance helps families seek proper oral care from their dentist.
Regular visits to the dentist promote better oral health by preventing and treating problems early rather than waiting until they become more serious and costly.
4. Dental insurance for toddlers helps save on dental costs
When your toddler is covered under your dental plan, you’ll save on out-of-pocket costs for a dental visit, and many plans cover exams, cleanings, and other diagnostic or preventive services at 100%.
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 make changes to your benefits plans. You can also do this during open enrollment. Just choose family coverage and list your baby as a dependent.
Not covered? You can sign up for a Delta Dental plan that meets your family’s needs.
When you opt for infant dental coverage, you invest in a lifetime of healthy smiles.