954408_DentalHealthMonth

*Sinclair, Louise. “Self-care is a priority to help prevent oral disease.” Colgate-Palmolive Company. October 2020. https://www.colgateprofessional.com/students-faculty/self-care-to-help-prevent-oral-disease

Product availability may vary by location and plan type and is subject to change. All group dental insurance policies and dental benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For costs and details of coverage, review your plan documents or contact a Cigna representative. All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC) or its affiliates. Policy forms: OK – HP-POL99/HP-POL388, OR - HP-POL68/HP-POL352, TN – HP-POL69/HC-CER2V1/HP-POL389 et al. (CHLIC). The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. All pictures are used for illustrative purposes only. 954408a © 2022 Cigna. Some content provided under license.

Exercise regularly Get enough sleep Try meditation, breathing exercises and stretching Take breaks from the news, including on social media Make time for activities you enjoy Reach out and connect with others

Consider these positive coping habits to help manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way:*

TIP #6

Maintain a healthy mind

Colgate-Palmolive Company. “The Best Foods For Your Teeth.” Accessed September 2021. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/nutrition-and-oral-health/healthy-foods-list-seven-best-foods-for-your-teeth Colgate-Palmolive Company. “Alcohol And Teeth: Three Things To Consider Before You Drink.” Accessed September 2021. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-oral-care/alcohol-and-teeth-three-things-to-consider-before-you-drink Oral Cancer Foundation. "Tobacco forms and types.” June 2018. https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/tobacco/tobacco-forms-types/

Snack smart – Choose whole grains, low sugar, quality proteins, and fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water – Water can help wash away food and acid, especially after eating. Choose fluoride-rich foods – Fluoride isn’t just an ingredient in toothpaste. It’s also a naturally occurring mineral in tap water and many foods, such as carrots, beets, cheeses, canned pork and beans, and canned tomato products. Limit alcohol consumption – Too much alcohol can cause dehydration and dry mouth, and certain alcoholic beverages are higher in sugar than others; alcoholic beverages can also cause tooth staining.** Don’t use tobacco or vaping products of any kind – Both can lead to gum disease or worse, including oral cancer.*** Check out this list of the 11 best and worst foods and drinks for your mouth.

Here are some healthy eating and lifestyle tips to help keep your mouth – and your body – healthy:*

Eat a healthy diet

TIP #4

Crooked and crowded teeth don’t just affect the way your smile looks. They can also affect the way you feel – physically and emotionally.

Don’t dismiss a crooked smile

*American Academy of Periodontology. "New Study Links Periodontitis and COVID-19 Complications." February 2021. https://www.perio.org/periodontitis_COVID-19_complications

ICU admission Need for assisted ventilation Death

In a recent study, patients with severe gum disease were at least three times more likely to experience severe COVID-19 complications including:

TIP #3

Follow your dentist’s care recommendations

*Cigna. "Preventive Dental Treatment Associated with Lower Medical Utilization and Costs." National study of Cigna customers with dental and medical coverage. Updated December 2020.

Those who don’t get regular dental care have 22% more visits to both the ER and urgent care centers.*

Offered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, or its affiliates

Your oral health and overall health are directly connected.

And you have what it takes to take control of both, one day at a time.

HEALTHY MOUTH. HEALTHY LIFE.

The connection between gum disease and COVID-19.*

Get your regular dental check-ups

TIP #2

*National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. "Periodontal (Gum) Disease." Reviewed July 2018. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/GumDiseases/ PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#howDoI

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11 best and worst foods and drinks for your mouth.*

Best

TIP #5

Tap water containing fluoride Black and green teas Plain milk Cheese Plain yogurt Lean protein Apples Carrots Celery Leafy greens Nuts

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Raisins and other dried fruits Granola bars Candy Regular gum Cookies Cakes Chips Bread Pretzels Sweetened breakfast cereals Sugary and acidic drinks such as soda (regular and diet), juice, lemonade, sweet tea and sports/energy drinks

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Worst

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*Colgate-Palmolive Company. “The Best Foods For Your Teeth." Accessed September 2021. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/nutrition-and-oral-health/healthy-foods-list-seven-best-foods-for-your-teeth Cigna does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any third party content and is not responsible for it. You agree to use third party content at your own risk.

Master your at-home oral hygiene routine

Wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth, as acid on the teeth softens the enamel and brushing will cause more enamel loss

Use an alcohol-free mouth rinse

Floss once daily

Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Oral Health Tips." Reviewed February 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html

***

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

TIP #1

A healthy mouth starts at home, and it’s easy when you make oral hygiene part of your daily routine.*

Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles are worn or frayed

Dental check-ups can also help detect signs of medical conditions, such as heart disease and kidney disease – just to name a couple, that have oral signs and symptoms.

Regular preventive dental check-ups can help catch and prevent issues before they become serious and costly to treat. And that's not just true for oral health problems.

This requires you to go in for visits more frequently, and it's important that you follow the recommended treatment plan and home care instructions.*

If you show signs of gum disease, or if you have a chronic condition known to increase your risk for gum disease, your dentist may recommend additional treatment, such as a deep cleaning.

Getting the right orthodontic care can help improve:

*American Association of Orthodontists. “Why Orthodontics?" Accessed September 2021. https://www.aaoinfo.org/_/why-you-should-get-orthodontic-treatment/ **Cigna. “Exploring the relationship between oral health and mental wellbeing.” Cigna research study. October 2019.

Self-esteem – 91% of Cigna customers say they feel more confident when their oral health is excellent**

Oral hygiene- teeth that are not in proper alignment are harder to clean

Mouth and bite function related to chewing and speaking*

The bacteria in plaque feeds on sugar and starches found in your food and forms an acid that attacks your tooth enamel, causing tooth decay.

Regular preventive dental check-ups can help catch and prevent issues before they become serious and costly to treat. And that's not just true for oral health problems.

Yes, believe it or not, your mental well-being can affect your oral health too.

Mental illness can lead to unhealthy coping habits, such as smoking, teeth grinding and more – all of which can have a negative effect on your teeth and gums.