Diabetic? Use Your Dental Insurance to Protect Your Smile

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you no doubt are doing everything in your power to manage your condition. For example, you may be careful about what you eat and comply with other directions from your primary care physician. But you should not neglect your oral health! In this blog post, you will learn about some of the oral health risks that diabetes is associated with. You will also discover how your dental insurance can protect your smile.

Oral Health Risks of Diabetes

As someone with diabetes, you may have an increased risk of numerous oral health problems, including:

• Gum disease. Diabetes can reduce your body’s ability to fight off infections, including gum disease. This condition can cause your gums to be sore and inflamed. Bad breath, gum recession, and even tooth loss can also occur as a result of untreated gum disease.
• Dry mouth. High blood glucose levels may cause a dry mouth, which in turn can allow harmful oral bacteria to multiply and thrive.
• Cuts and sores. Small wounds in the mouth may be slower to heal, and your ability to feel them may be reduced. They are more likely to get infected.

Protecting Your Oral Health with the Help of Your Insurance

The good news is that you can maintain a healthy smile, even with diabetes. Of course, your home care routine is of utmost importance. Brushing, flossing, and a balanced diet are all important.

Your dentist also wants to help you, and fortunately, your dental insurance likely covers many of the services that you need to prevent your diabetes from ruining your oral health.

• Preventive services, such as checkups and cleanings, are usually 100% covered. During these routine visits, which should happen at least twice a year, your dentist can identify early signs of oral health issues and treat them before they cause major damage. They can also offer personalized guidance to help you take great care of your teeth and gums on a daily basis.
• Basic services, like fillings, are frequently around 80% covered. These treatments can prevent minor problems from becoming major threats to your oral health. Many health insurance companies also classify scaling and root planing (a common treatment for gum disease) as a basic service.
• Major treatments, including crowns and most forms of tooth replacement, may be around 50% covered.

Diabetes can endanger your smile, but it does not have to ruin it! Talk to your dental team about how you can use your benefits as part of your whole-body wellness plan.

Meet the Practice

At Annigan Dental in Bothell, our team is pleased to accept insurance, and we are in-network with some major plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, and more. We enjoy helping patients manage their oral health and welcome individuals who are looking for support in their fight against diabetes. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our office at 425-492-6898.