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OCTOBER 2024
The top 10 reasons to get regular dental and vision exams
Did you know that getting regular dental cleanings can reduce your chances of ending up in the hospital by up to 28%?
That’s a great reason to schedule your annual dental appointment (and eye exam) before the year is over. If you need more motivation, check out the “top ten” list below. While some of the reasons may be familiar to you, others may be surprising — and may motivate you to get these exams on your calendar every year.
If you haven’t gotten your two yearly dental cleanings or haven’t had your eyes checked this year, there’s still time to schedule your annual visits. Dental exams and cleanings are covered at 100% when you’re enrolled in a Costco dental plan and see an in-network dental provider. Your Costco benefits also offer an allowance toward your annual eye exam and $175 per year toward the cost of prescribed eyewear (this amount can be spread out over the whole calendar year and doesn’t need to be used all at once).
Looking for more? Find other articles below
10 reasons to get your yearly exams
Dental
Prevents tooth decay
At your teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist removes the plaque and tartar deposits that are too hard to get to during regular brushing. Left unchecked, these can cause cavities, tooth loss, gum disease and other issues.
Catches dental concerns early
Annual visits allow your dentist to catch cavities and other concerns early, when they’re easier and less costly to treat. For example, a simple filling today could require a surgical extraction and expensive implant if left untreated.
Improves cancer outcomes
Recent research shows that people diagnosed with throat, nasal cavity, and other head and neck cancers have a 30% higher survival rate 10 years after their diagnosis if they visited their dentist regularly.1
Lowers risk of early delivery during pregnancy
Pregnant women who have good oral hygiene and routinely visit their dentist are less likely to experience premature delivery, a baby with low birth weight and preeclampsia.2
Impacts heart health
Poor oral health can increase the risk of heart disease, such as heart attack or stroke. Research suggests that bacteria present in gum disease can travel through the bloodstream to trigger inflammation and infection in the heart.
Vision
Improves eyesight
A comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist is the best way to determine if you need corrective lenses and check whether your current prescription has changed. These exams can also identify common conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness).
Detects eye diseases
Many diseases of the eyes don’t have symptoms but can lead to vision loss if untreated. Your eye doctor can identify early warning signs and help treat conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Identifies other health concerns
Issues spotted in the eye are often the first signs of medical conditions throughout the body. Some of these conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Makes learning easier for kids
Good vision is helpful to the learning process. An eye exam can detect any concern that may be getting in the way of your child’s school performance.
Keeps you safer
Whether you’re driving a car, operating a forklift or using other machinery, you need to see what you’re doing. Being able to see clearly helps keep you and others out of harm’s way.
Feeling more motivated? Schedule your exams today. And if you use tobacco or nicotine, read on.
Quitting nicotine is good for your teeth and eyes, too
If you smoke or vape, you are at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth loss. The risk of developing dry eye syndrome and cataracts also goes up. Try the Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program for support to help you quit nicotine products for good. To get started, log in to Costcobenefits.com then click this link.
Check out the resources below to keep your teeth and eyes healthy.
1Health. Regular dental visits linked to increased survival rates for head, neck cancer patients.
2NIH National Library of Medicine. Oral care in pregnancy.
Sources:
Penn Medicine. The link between gum disease and heart disease.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. 20 surprising health problems an eye exam can catch.
Oral Health Foundation. Smoking and oral health.
Tompkins Dental. How vaping affects your teeth.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. How do smoking and vaping damage the eyes?
Resources for you
- Aetna Dental® covers general dental care and specialist care from in-network dental providers. Make sure to schedule your routine cleanings and exams (two per year), covered at 100% when you use an in-network provider. Find in-network dental providers by contacting the Aetna Dental team or with the Aetna Health℠ app. To learn more, visit Aetna.com, call 800-218-1458 (TTY: 711) or download the Aetna Health app.
- EyeMed administers your vision and hearing aid benefits. The plan will pay up to $80 for your annual refractive eye exam and $175 toward the purchase of prescribed eyewear each year. You also get $1,750 toward the purchase of medically necessary hearing aids every four years. Visit Eyemed.com/Costco or call 844-844-0897 to learn more.
- Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program sets you up to work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist who will design a plan to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This program includes access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and click “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness. Or call the Costco Pharmacy Medical Therapy Management Center at 866-818-2368.
- Triple-S offers vision and hearing aid benefits through the medical plan, including an allowance toward your annual eye exam. You are also eligible for Triple-S dental benefits. Make sure to schedule your routine dental cleanings and exams, covered at 100% when you use an in-network provider and elect dental coverage. The plan will also pay up to $1,750 toward the purchase of medically necessary hearing aids every four years. Learn more at SSSPR.com, call 800-981-3241 or download the Mi Triple-S app.
- EyeMed covers up to $175 toward the purchase of prescribed eyewear each year. Visit Eyemed.com/Costco or call 844-844-0897 to learn more.
- Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program offers coaching and support to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This program includes access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and click “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness, or talk to a Care Partner at Resources for Living at 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711).
- HMSA medical coverage includes your dental and hearing aid benefits. Make sure to schedule your free routine dental cleanings and exams, covered at 100% when you use an in-network provider. Your benefits include up to $1,750 toward the purchase of medically necessary hearing aids every four years. Learn more at HMSA.com, call 800-776-4672.
- EyeMed provides an allowance for your annual refractive eye exam and $175 toward the purchase of prescribed eyewear each year. Visit Eyemed.com/Costco or call 844-844-0897 to learn more.
- Costco Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Program sets you up to work one-on-one with a Costco pharmacist who will design a plan to help you quit tobacco and nicotine products. This program includes access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). To learn more and enroll, go to Costcobenefits.com and click “Quit Tobacco” under Health & Wellness. Or call the Costco Pharmacy Medical Therapy Management Center at 866-818-2368.