Your smile often feels completely separate from the rest of your body, after all, you need to see a whole different type of doctor for your oral healthcare! The reality is that your oral and overall health are deeply intertwined with each other, though, so in your journey to manage conditions like diabetes, it’s likely that your dentist will come into play. Read on to learn how visiting your dentist can help manage diabetes and how in the long run, maximizing your dental insurance can have a positive impact on your overall health.
How Does Diabetes Impact Oral Health?
Conditions that affect your immune system, such as diabetes, can make it much more difficult for the body to fight off common oral health conditions, such as gum disease and cavities. Additionally, many people with diabetes produce less saliva, leading to dry mouth and therefore a build-up of bacteria and plaque. As a result, people who are diabetic may be more prone to developing dental problems, even with a good at-home oral hygiene routine.
Does Diabetes Put You at a Higher Risk of Tooth Loss?
Studies show that over 20 percent of people with Type I and Type II diabetes have gum disease, making it the most common oral health concern among those with this condition. If your diabetes isn’t controlled, poor blood sugar levels can lead to a heightened risk of gum disease, and transversely, gum disease can lead to higher blood sugar. Gum disease also happens to be the number one cause of tooth loss among Americans, meaning people who are diabetic are at a higher chance of experiencing this dental concern as well.
How Can Visiting Your Dentist Help You Save Money?
If you have diabetes, in addition to your primary care physician, you can also work with your dentist to manage oral health problems that could be related to diabetes. Research shows that treating existing gum disease can help improve blood sugar levels, helping manage both your diabetes as well as prevent more serious dental concerns.
Your dentist and primary care physician can work together to help create a whole-body approach to treating your diabetes, which can include using diabetes medication to control blood sugar levels, spotting and treating gum disease early on to prevent tooth loss, and helping develop a good at-home oral hygiene routine.
If you have dental insurance, it’s likely that your routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist are completely covered, so be sure to use these benefits up each year before your plan renews! It can help you dramatically save money, from avoiding costly dental treatments like tooth extractions to increasing your risk of experiencing health complications from diabetes.
About the Practice
At JL Dental, we are proud to accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, helping our patients maximize their coverage and savings. Our goal is to help you save money, all while delivering high-quality, trustworthy dental care. For more information about dental insurance, visit our website or call 636-464-6668.