February is American Heart Month, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds Americans to consider their health.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the nation, according to the CDC, with heart disease and stroke leading to one out of every three deaths in the country. That amounts to 2,200 fatalities per day, according to the agency, and nonfatal cardiovascular health problems often cause disability that interferes with quality of life.
Aside from preventing people from enjoying themselves or working effectively, cardiovascular disease also drives many of the healthcare costs in the nation, with lost productivity and hospitalizations from strokes and heart disease leading to $444 billion in healthcare expenses during 2010.
One prominent dental insurance provider noted that research has linked gum disease to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health conditions. This can contribute to making existing conditions worse or increase care costs.
"Periodontal disease has the ability to seed bacteria into your blood stream and to lower your ability to fight chronic disease," said dental insurance executive James Bramson. "If your body is always fighting this type of low-grade infection, it's harder for it to fight the rest of the diseases that it may be faced with."
Workers with employer-based dental insurance employee benefits may find their long-term expenses are lower with strong oral health, particularly preventive care.
