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While most people dread going to the dentist, it is important to get checked once every six months. It’s not just about teeth cleanings and x-rays, as dentists are able to tell a lot about your over-all health, including if you are at risk of a chronic disease. However, if you already have some dental issues, it is recommended to see your dentist every 3 to 4 weeks. Poor oral health can lead to health problems If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, your poor oral hygiene can actually lead to other health problems, including: Oral and facial pain. According to the Office of the Surgeon General, this pain may be largely due to infection of the gums that support the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and advanced gum disease affect more than 75% of the U.S. population. Problems with the heart and other major organs. Mouth infections can affect major organs. For example, the heart and heart valves can become inflamed by bacterial endocarditis, a condition that affects people with heart disease or anyone with damaged heart tissue. Digestion problems. Digestion begins with physical and chemical processes in the mouth, and problems here can lead to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders. What can you do to prevent any major issues? Seeing your dentist regularly can help in keeping your teeth and gums in tip top shape, and also allows your dentist to keep an eye out for anything that may point to other health issues. With dental exams, they are able to check for poor hygiene and nutrition, and even improper jaw alignment. There are also ways you can practice good at home oral care: Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, using fluoridated toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. Eat a healthy diet to provide the nutrients necessary (vitamins A and C, in particular) to prevent gum disease. Avoid cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, which are known to contribute to gum disease and oral cancer. Behaviors that Contribute to Poor Oral Health Teaching children from a young age why oral health is important is critical to helping them maintain their well-being throughout their lives. Parents should help children understand the importance of oral hygiene in daily life and develop good oral hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, beginning when their first teeth appear. But while poor oral hygiene is a leading factor in oral health issues, other behaviors can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventually, tooth loss. An unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol use, and tobacco use are all associated with dental health problems. A lack of access to quality dental care is also blamed for poor oral health. According to the ADA, only 30% of Millennials see a dentist regularly, with many citing financial challenges and a lack of insurance as barriers to dental care. Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families dental needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #oralhealth

In the month of June, we focus on men’s health and well-being, and to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems. Help encourage the boy’s or men in your life, be it your child, nephew, brother or spouse, to take charge of their overall health. Here are some tips on what can be done to help prevent an illness, or to just stay ahead of the game. Get your Vaccines: Flu shot, every year. Tetanus booster, every 10 years. Whooping cough vaccine (Tdap booster) unless you’re certain you had one as a preteen or teenager. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, if you’re younger than 26 and haven’t received it yet. Shingrix (shingles) vaccine at age 50. Pneumococcal vaccine, at 65. The CDC recommends all older adults  get a dose of PPSV23 (Pneumovax). Don’t forget about Screening Tests: Sexually transmitted disease. All men should get tested for HIV at least once. According to the CDC, everyone between ages 13 and 64 should be tested during their lifetime. (If you have certain risk factors, you’ll need additional screenings.) Blood pressure: Have it checked at least once every three to five years, or more often if you are at risk for hypertension. Cholesterol: Have your cholesterol tested every four to six years. If you have heart disease or diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or other cardiac risk factors, you may need to do this more often. Cancer Type 2 diabetes: If you’re overweight or obese, have a blood test every three years. Prostate cancer: Regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, which may detect prostate cancer, might not be necessary. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the test. If you’re concerned about prostate cancer, talk with your doctor at 55 or earlier about whether you’re at increased risk. Learn More About Men’s Health Awareness:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness #men039shealthawareness

More people than you realize are living with a disability in the United States. According to the CDC, roughly 26% of all American adults have a disability of some sort. These disabilities, which include both mental and physical disabilities, not only reduce the quality of life and hinder the ability to perform activities of daily living, but they can limit your ability to work as well. The following are just a few of the challenges that people with disabilities must live with in the United States: Common Challenges of Living With a Disability The following are some of the common challenges people with physical and mental disabilities struggle face every day: Mobility problems: One in eight American adults reports having a mobility-based disability, such as difficulties walking or taking the stairs. Higher health risks: People with disabilities are 38.2% more likely to be obese, 11.5% more likely to have heart disease, and 16.3% more likely to have diabetes. Lower rate of technology adoption: Only 50% of disabled Americans use the Internet on a daily basis, while almost 80% of American adults with no disabilities use the Internet every day. Earn less income: Disabled Americans simply make less money. According to the Census Bureau, in 2019, disabled Americans earned a median of $21,572, which is around 30% less than non-disabled individuals. Inability to work: It’s estimated that more than 25% of the 20-year-olds in the United States today will miss work for at least 12 months as a result of a disability, such as back injuries, depression, or heart problems, before they reach retirement. Getting Disability Insurance Just because you’re completely healthy right now doesn’t mean you’ll never experience a disability. Because living with a disability is incredibly challenging and affects your quality of life as well as your financial situation, it’s critical that you consider investing in disability insurance. Disability insurance will provide you with partial income should you develop a disability that prevents you from working. For more health information, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #disabled #livingwithadisability #livingwithdisabilities

May has been designated as Food Allergies Awareness Month due to the enormous number of Americans that are affected by allergies to food every year. In fact, it’s estimated that around 32 million Americans have a food allergy of some sort, and 200,000 people receive emergency medical care in the United States every year due to an allergic reaction to something that they ate. What Are Food Allergies? A food allergy is when your body has a reaction to a food that you ate. The body views the protein in the food as a foreign invader and will produce antibodies to attack it. That can cause a variety of symptoms, from a mild rash to trouble breathing, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening. Is a Food Allergy the Same as a Food Intolerance? Food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy. With food intolerance, your body has trouble digesting a certain food. That can cause symptoms like bloating, gas, or diarrhea. A food allergy, on the other hand, is an immune reaction to a food protein. Is There a Food Allergy Cure? There is no cure for food allergies, and the only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the food that you’re allergic to. That can be difficult because oftentimes, you won’t know that a food contains the allergen until you have a reaction. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the most common food allergens and to always read food labels carefully. If you think that you might have a food allergy, it’s important to see an allergist in California for testing. They can do a skin prick test or a blood test to see if you’re allergic to a certain food. Once they know what you’re allergic to, they can help you to create a plan to avoid the allergen and to be prepared in case of a reaction. For more health advice and for all the latest health news and information, be sure to continue visiting us at The Benefits Store. #allergicreaction #foodallergies #foodallergy

Your mental health impacts every aspect your life. Mental health problems can effect our emotional, psychological, and physical well being. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help manage stress, increase your energy, and lower your risk of illness. Even small acts of self-care everyday can have a huge impact. Why bring awareness to mental health? Raising awareness to mental health problems can help you understand symptoms, get professional treatment if needed (without the stigma behind asking for help), and to get rid of the misconceptions behind mental health so people don’t suffer in silence! Take the first step in raising awareness by doing the following: Start a Conversation It can feel weird reaching out to someone who may need help. But friends and family members may not feel comfortable asking for help. Therefore, one way to start a conversation is to simply ask your loved ones how they are doing. Some ways to start a conversation like this include asking questions such as: • How are you? • Are you ok? • Do you need to talk? • What can I do to be there for you? • Is there anything that you need from me? • I want to know how you’re feeling because I care about you. Prioritize Your Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to reflect on your own mental well-being. To get an idea of where you might stand, just check in with yourself with the questions above. If you’re not doing ok, reach out for help. Finding the right therapist can take some time. Don’t wait to get on the road to mental wellness. Seek support as soon as possible. One thing to remember during this month, you are not alone and there is always someone who can help, even if you have to help yourself! Learn More about Mental Health AwarenessDownload Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health care needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness #mentalhealth

It’s crucial that all women schedule a regular well-woman visit with their health care provider, whether there’s something wrong or not. Even if you think you’re completely healthy, getting a regular check-up every year allows your doctor to catch any issues, such as diseases or other conditions, in the early stages. It also allows you to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of developing certain conditions in the future. With that in mind, the following are a few tips on how to properly prepare for your appointment. How To Prepare for Your Well-Woman Visit The following are a few steps that you should take before visiting your doctor: 1. Determine if you’re due for any vaccinations or screenings. There are certain vaccinations and screenings that you should request based on your health, age, family history, and lifestyle. Your health care provider can also let you know if you’re due for any vaccinations or exams. Some of the vaccinations and screenings you may want to get during your visit include STD screening, blood pressure check, Pap test, mammogram, and a tetanus shot. 2. Take note of any issues you have. Your doctor will ask about your general health, so make sure you write down any issues you might be having so that you don’t forget. Take note of whether you’re experiencing any problems with fatigue, dizziness, pain, depression, anxiety, sleeping, and more. Other things to mention include any body changes you’ve experienced, changes in your eating habits, and menstrual cycle changes. 3. Prepare your family health history. Get in touch with your family to find out if they’ve had any recent health problems. Your family health history influences your own risk of developing certain conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease, and will help give your doctor a better idea of what to look for and what preventative measures to suggest. Schedule an Appointment With Your Doctor Today Scheduling a well-woman visit is crucial to reducing the risk of developing certain conditions and ensuring your health. Keep these tips in mind and visit us at The Benefits Store for more health advice. #wellwomancheckup #wellwomanvisit #WomensHealth

According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a condition that can be prevented, yet it affects 47 percent of all Americans. It also increases the risk of heart disease and strokes, both of which are leading causes of death in the country. One of the reasons why people may not be taking steps to prevent it is because they simply don’t know that they have it, which is why it’s known as the “silent killer.” To help remedy this problem, May has been designated as National High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Month. Facts You Should Know About High Blood Pressure The following are a few facts about hypertension that everyone should be aware of: Only 24 percent of Americans with hypertension have it under control. Hypertension was the primary cause or contributing factor of death in 2019 in the U.S., having been linked to 516,955 deaths. Around 50 percent of men have hypertension, while 44 percent of women have it. If left uncontrolled or undetected, hypertension can cause a number of other issues as well, including heart failure, angina, vision loss, kidney disease, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and sexual dysfunction. How to Manage Your Hypertension The following are a few ways to control your hypertension and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease: Maintain a healthy weight: Blood pressure tends to increase when your weight increases. If you’re overweight, losing a few pounds can make all the difference. Exercise on a regular basis: Not only can exercise help you maintain a healthy weight, but it can also help to lower your blood pressure directly as well. Eat healthily: Again, eating right can help you maintain a healthy weight, but cutting certain things out of your diet, such as foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, can help lower your blood pressure. Stop smoking: Smoking increases your blood pressure, so be sure to quit if you’re a smoker. Get Your Blood Pressure Checked Today To reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease, be sure to schedule a regular check-up with your primary doctor to check your blood pressure. If you have hypertension, you can begin taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. For more health awareness information, keep visiting us at The Benefits Store. #HighBloodPressure #Hypertension #Stroke

The Basics: Overview Schedule a well-woman visit with your doctor or nurse every year. The well-woman visit is an important way to help you stay healthy. Well-woman visits include a full checkup, separate from any other visit for sickness or injury. These visits focus on preventive care for women, which may include: Services, like vaccines (shots), that improve your health by preventing diseases and other health problems Screening tests, which are medical tests to check for diseases early when they may be easier to treat Education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions Getting check-ups is one of many things you can do to help stay healthy and prevent disease and disability. Before your next check-up, make sure you do these four things: Find out if you are due for general screenings or vaccinations. Write down a list of issues and questions to take with you. Review your family health history. Family Health History Checklist: Adults Share family health history information with your doctor and other family members. Your family health history can give you an idea of your risk for chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes, but it is not the only factor to consider. If you are concerned about diseases that are common in your family, talk with your doctor at your next visit. A doctor can evaluate all of the factors that may affect your risk of some diseases, including family health history, and can recommend ways to reduce that risk. Act on your family health history. Having a family health history of a disease does not mean that you or your family members will definitely get that disease. It is important that you talk with your doctor about steps that you can take to lower your chances of getting the disease. Learn more:Download Your health and safety matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness #Women039sHealth

There is no way to prevent an allergic reaction other than avoiding the allergen. Strict avoidance is the best way to prevent a reaction. This includes all products that definitely contain the allergen as well as those that “may contain,” “manufactured in a shared facility”, or “processed on the same equipment.” Experimenting or taking risks to determine if you can tolerate small exposures to the food allergen is dangerous and will likely result in an allergic reaction. Read labels on packaged goods. Since 2006, federal law mandates all packaged goods containing milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, crustacean shellfish (but not mollusks), peanut, or tree nut be labeled in plain English declaring the presence of these allergens. However, when the allergens are not main ingredients but could be included in the packaged goods through cross-contact, a product may be voluntarily labeled as “may contain,” “manufactured in a shared facility”, or “processed on the same equipment.” Discourage food sharing. Unless you can verify that all the ingredients are safe, do not accept food from others. If your child has food allergies, ensure he or she follows this practice at school, on field trips, at sporting events, and at friends’ homes. Never assume the food being offered is safe or was safely prepared unless you can personally verify this. Learn how to clean potentially cross-contaminated surfaces – including your hands! Soap and water and commercial detergent wipes are your friends, but gel hand sanitizer is not. Do not use gel hand sanitizer to clean your hands after allergen contact. For dishes, vigorous scrubbing with dish soap and water followed by cleaning in the dish washer is recommended. Allergic reactions can be triggered through ingestion of trace, residual amounts of protein on someone’s hands, which can also contaminate common surfaces. This is particularly important among small children who may frequently put their hands – and everything else – in their mouths. Learn more about Food Allergies:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs. #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #FoodAllergyAwarenes #healthawareness

Sexual assault is something that happens a lot more than you might realize. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Additionally, one out of every six women has been raped or almost raped in her lifetime. Because of how prominent the problem continues to be, April has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. Preventing Sexual Assault Because most American children spend a substantial amount of time online, you should be wary about sexual predators attempting to groom or exploit them. The following are a few signs that may indicate that’s what’s happening: Someone online is telling the child to keep their relationship secret Someone is making sexually suggestive comments to them online Someone is asking about the child’s sexual background Someone is sending the child links to sexual content Someone is asking the child to contact them through specific apps Someone is instructing the child to talk to them in private An online stranger is sending the child gift Make sure to tell your child to report any such exchanges to you, and be sure to monitor your child’s online activities in case such exchanges are occurring. You should report predatory behavior to California law enforcement right away to help prevent any potential sexual abuse from occurring. Signs of Sexual Abuse Many victims are under age. The majority of underage victims tend to be between the ages of 12 and 17. As such, it’s very important that if you have children, you make sure you do everything you can to ensure they grow up in a safe environment. The following are a few red flags to look out for that indicate that there may be sexual abuse happening: The child’s behavior changes significantly. Behavior such as social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating may all indicate potential issues with abuse. If the child complains about trouble sleeping, soreness, or even pain. Sexual assault is a serious problem that affects both adults and children. If you have a child, be vigilant about their online activity to help protect them against sexual abuse. For more safety awareness advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #AssaultPrevention #PreventSexualAssault #SexualAssault

Millions of working Americans are facing a growing crisis: a lack of adequate disability insurance coverage. Today, the absence of emergency savings, rising medical costs, and an overall trend of fewer employers offering benefits to workers has created a critical blind spot for many American workers and their families. Without some kind of income protection, more Americans are experiencing severe financial difficulty if they need to miss work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. A lack of adequate disability coverage. At least 51 million working adults in the United States are without disability insurance other than the basic coverage available through Social Security. Only 40 percent of US households have enough in liquid savings to cover at least three months of their recurring expenses, and only 28 percent can cover at least six months. Three out of ten American adults indicate they can’t pay an unexpected $400 bill without having to carry a balance on their credit card or borrow money from friends, family, or the bank. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that you need to plan for the unexpected. One thing people don’t expect is that they might become disabled and need disability insurance to protect their income. That’s why during May, Disability Insurance Awareness Month, LIMRA is joining the industry to remind Americans about the importance of having disability insurance coverage to protect their income if they become disabled and are unable to work. Below are some facts that highlight the importance of disability insurance coverage: Despite the need, the percentage of Americans with disability insurance (DI) coverage declined from a high of 31% in 2012 to a low of 14% in 2021. Data on consumer financial concerns suggest concern over a potential disability has grown among Millennials and Gen Xers. This is a positive trend because, according to the Social Security Administration, more than 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds can expect to be out of work for at least a year because of a disabling condition before they reach the normal retirement age. Disability insurance ranked high, with 46% saying LTD benefits were more important and 43% saying the same about STD benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers’ compensation only covers time away from work if the disabling illness or injury was directly work-related. In 2019, less than 1% of American workers missed work because of an occupational illness or injury. Learn more;Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #Californiahealthinsurance #DisabilityInsuranceAwareness #disabilityinsurance

You might not realize it, but when it comes to car accidents, distracted driving is one of the primary causes. For example, out of the 2.5 million people that are involved in car accidents every year in the U.S., roughly 64% of those accidents involved a cell phone. Because there are so many more things that can distract a driver from their primary task of driving, April has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Types of Distracted Driving in California There are three main types of distractions that can divert your attention while driving and lead to a potential accident: Manual distractions: A manual distraction refers to something that causes you to move your hands away from the steering wheel. For example, if you’re eating a burger or drinking a beverage while driving, then you’re being manually distracted. Visual distractions: A visual distraction refers to anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road. For instance, if you’re looking at directions for an address that you wrote down on a piece of paper. Cognitive distractions: A cognitive distraction is something that causes your mind to wander. If you’re thinking about something else other than your task at hand, you could miss a turn or you could react slowly to someone braking in front of you. Facts About Driving Distracted The following are a few facts you should know about driving while distracted: Almost 25% of all car accidents in the U.S. are caused by texting while driving. You’re six times more likely to get into a car accident texting while driving than drinking and driving. If you’re texting while driving, your chances of getting into a car accident increase by 23 times. Reading a text will distract you for an average of five seconds. It takes an average of three seconds of distraction to get into an accident. Don’t Drive Distracted Distracted driving will significantly increase your chances of getting into an accident, so be sure to focus on the task of driving. For more safety awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #distracteddriving #distracteddrivingawareness #safetyawareness