The importance of planning for dental care that'll go the distance

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five adults 65 or older have untreated tooth decay — and over two-thirds have gum disease.

And that’s not because people don’t take care of their teeth. The reality is that your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.

The need for dental care is lifelong

Retirees know how important dental care is. They know they need to continue receiving it in retirement, as well as a way to pay for it.

As people prepare for their health coverage in retirement, many are surprised to find out Medicare doesn’t cover dental.

Yet, many of us have probably seen commercials talking about extra Medicare benefits, such as dental. These advertisements are referring to the dental coverage added on to some Medicare Advantage plans.

Some of these dental plans require enrollees to use provider networks. And, other plans have annual limits of what they cover — some have maximum benefits of $1,000 or less.

A retiree whose dentist is out of network, or who needs a lot of dental work might find these types of plans don’t give them the kind of help with dental bills they were looking for.

Dental insurance can help make dental care more affordable for years to come

When it comes time to shop for dental benefits, Medicare beneficiaries should consider shopping for dental insurance, which can help make dental care more affordable throughout their lives.

If you're in the market for dental insurance, look for coverage that:

• Has no annual maximum on the cash benefits you can receive
• Has no deductible
• Gives you the freedom to see any dentist — and enjoy savings from network providers
• Helps cover preventive services right away
• Pays benefits for a wide range of dental procedures … from cleanings and fillings, to crowns, root canals, and dentures
• Has guaranteed acceptance regardless of your dental health

Dental insurance can help you stay on track with regular dental checkups — the best defense against age-related dental problems. It’s better to catch problems and diseases at their earliest stages to reduce the toll on you — both physically and financially.