Oral health routine tips for diabetics
Did you know that approximately 22% of people with diabetes in the U.S. have gum disease?
Our partners at Careington provide helpful oral health routine tips on how to prevent gum disease if you have diabetes.
Diabetes and Gum Disease
Although diabetics have a higher chance of having gum disease, oral bacteria in a diabetic person is not much different than people who don’t have diabetes. The difference is in the intensity of the body’s response to the bacteria. Those with diabetes may have more of an inflammatory response, putting them at higher risk for gum disease symptoms such as pain, chewing difficulties and even tooth loss. This makes having a good dental care routine to keep your mouth and teeth healthy extremely important.
Maintain an oral health routine
None of these symptoms occur right away, and there’s plenty you can do to protect your oral health. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s advice about your diet and medication to keep your glucose levels in balance. Also, create an oral health routine:
- Drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum to help avoid experiencing dry mouth
- Visit our dentist every 6 to 12 months for professional cleaning and assessment
- Clean your teeth and gums at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- At least once a day, use dental floss or other interdental cleaners to clean between your teeth
If you’re experiencing oral pain, broken or chipped teeth, sensitive and misaligned teeth don’t delay getting help, contact a licensed dentist right away.
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THIS PLAN IS NOT INSURANCE and is not intended to replace health insurance. This plan does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under M.G.L. c.111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This plan is not a Qualified Health Plan under the Affordable Care Act. The range of discounts will vary depending on the type of provider and service. The plan does not pay providers directly. Plan members must pay for all services but will receive a discount from participating providers. The list of participating providers is at Union Plus Dental Discount Plans. A written list of participating providers is available upon request. You may cancel within the first 30 days after effective date or receipt of membership materials (whichever is later) and receive a full refund, less a nominal processing fee (nominal fee for MD residents is $5, AR residents will be refunded the processing fee). Discount Plan Organization and administrator: Careington International Corporation, 7400 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034; phone 800-441-0380.
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