Patients who receive regular tooth cleanings may have better overall health than patients who do not, according to the latest scientific research. The evidence is so striking that, according to The Wall Street Journal, several health plans have taken notice and decided to cover tooth cleanings as part of their overall medical package in the hopes that there will be a decrease in the incidence of premature deliveries, diabetes, and heart disease.

In “Health Plans Expand Dental Benefits,” author M.P. McQueen writes in The Wall Street Journal that one dental plan recently began offering coverage of antimicrobial mouthwashes for pregnant women. The same plan conducted pilot programs designed to urge pregnant women and people with chronic disease to visit a dentist. Patients who are at-risk, such as pregnant women, people with heart disease or diabetes, will be expected to have a third regular tooth cleaning each year (one every four months rather than the usual one every six months), or additional deep cleanings as needed.

Periodontal disease is essentially an infection of the gums. The infection can spread to other parts of the body. More than 75 percent of the adult population older than the age of 35 suffers from some type of periodontal disease. It is a silent disease that goes virtually unnoticeable by most patients until gums begin to bleed or teeth begin to fall out. It is a chronic, disease, however, virtually incurable and needs to be regularly maintained with regular tooth cleanings.