You may have been told by dentists in the past that your oral health is just as vital as the rest of your body. For that reason, it’s more important than ever to take oral care seriously, whether it’s at home or making time for professional checkups and cleanings. Doing so just may put you at lower risk of other chronic diseases, including hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). Read on to learn more about the connection gum disease may have with this potentially life-threatening condition.

Your oral health and overall health are more connected than you think. By staying on top of your routine dental exams and cleanings, you’re actually doing more favors for your well-being than you may realize. On top of giving your smile and body positive attention, your wallet is also far more likely to stay fuller when you maximize dental insurance benefits before the end of the year.

According to a dentist, these are three of the best ways to get the most out of your plan before they reset at the beginning of the year.