If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop gum disease. Serious gum disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar. But the right diabetes dental care can help keep your mouth healthy.
Make sure you have a dental plan to help cover your checkups.
How to prevent dental health problems caused by diabetes
Diabetes and oral health can go hand-in-hand. So, it’s important to keep your mouth healthy with good dental care at home and regular trips to the dentist.
Diabetes can lead to more sugar in your saliva. Bad bacteria can feed off it and combine with food to cause sticky deposits on your teeth called plaque.
When plaque builds up, it can lead to sore and swollen gums that may bleed. These are signs of gum disease.
Here’s how to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to clean between your teeth and keep gums healthy
- Limit snacks and sweets that cause tooth decay
- Drink water throughout the day to reduce acids that attack teeth
- Control your blood sugar to help reduce plaque
- Tell your dentist you have diabetes and get routine cleanings and checkups
Signs of dental health problems
If you find signs of problems in your mouth, see your dentist right away. Here’s what to look for:
- Swollen, painful or bleeding gums
- Pain in your mouth or jaw that doesn’t go away
- Loose teeth
- Pain when you chew
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush
Treatment for gum disease
Your dentist may suggest different treatment, depending on the stage of gum disease. Many times, gum disease can be treated in the early stages without surgery. But if the tissue or bone around the teeth is not healthy, surgery may be required.
Treatments for gum disease include:
- Professional cleaning to remove hardened plaque above and below the gum line
- Deep cleaning to scrape away hardened plaque and remove rough spots so gums can reattach to the teeth
- Surgery to repair or replace bone and tissue that help hold teeth in place
Blue Cross Dental plans
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota makes it easy to protect your oral health. We offer a range of dental plans to fit your needs and budget.
All Blue Cross Dental plans cover preventive care, including routine exams, X-rays and cleanings. Depending on the coverage you choose, your plan may also help pay for fillings, crowns and other services.
As a Blue Cross Dental member, you’ll have easy access to dental care with one of the largest dental networks in the nation. Nine out of 10 dentists in the network also offer discounts on services your plan doesn’t cover, including services you receive after you reach your yearly maximum benefit.
Anyone can enroll in a Blue Cross Dental plan, even if you don’t have Blue Cross health insurance or are on Medicare. Blue Cross Dental plans are an affordable and easy way to get proper dental care for you and your family.
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Dental insurance basics
8 tips for dental care during pregnancy
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