Diabetes and oral health: A two-way street
Diabetes can affect your teeth and gums. In fact, people with diabetes face a higher-than-average risk of developing gum disease and tooth loss. What’s more, a recent study found that people with chronic gum disease had a 26% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that treating gum disease and consistently maintaining good dental care habits can improve your blood sugar levels.
Gum disease damages the bones that hold teeth in place. It causes gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets between teeth and gums that can fill with germs and lead to infection. Because people with diabetes are less able to fight infections, when blood sugar rises, bone loss may progress quickly.
Other dental issues associated with diabetes
According to the American Dental Association, poor blood sugar control increases your risk of developing other oral issues:
You may produce less saliva, which can cause dry mouth
Lower levels of saliva also make you vulnerable to getting cavities
It makes it harder for you to taste your food
You’re more likely to get infections inside your mouth, such as thrush
Managing your oral health can help reduce the severity of diabetes
In addition to controlling your blood sugar level through medication and diet, regular dental visits help prevent gum disease. Practicing good oral hygiene also lowers your HbA1c (the lab test that shows your average level of blood sugar and how well you’re controlling your diabetes), so it’s important to:
Brush your teeth twice daily and after meals with a soft brush and floss daily. If you wear dentures, clean them every day.
Let your dentist and dental hygienist know of any changes in your condition or medication you’re taking.
A unique program that supports better overall health—at no extra cost
If you live with diabetes or other serious, eligible medical conditions that can affect your health, our Oral Health for Overall HealthSM program’s preventive dental services can help you live healthier. The Mayo Clinic recently found that members with diabetes enrolled in a similar medical and dental care integration program achieved better health outcomes and realized significant savings on medical costs.
These valuable services are available to enrolled members at no extra cost when visiting a participating provider. Program benefits include two extra cleanings or preventive visits per year (a total of four).
If you have health and dental plans from Florida Blue and have been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re automatically enrolled. If you don’t have a health plan with Florida Blue, you can easily enroll online.
Once enrolled, all you need to do is make an appointment with a participating dentist.