If you have diabetes, you may primarily think about how the disease affects your body more than anything else. The struggle to manage your blood glucose level can be hard enough. Once you factor in how it impacts your oral health, you may begin to think about enlisting the help of your dentist. Keep reading to discover 3 reasons it’s in your best interest to use dental insurance benefits when living with diabetes.
Diabetes is Connected to Several Oral Health Problems
One of the most common oral health issues associated with diabetes is gum disease. As bacteria attack your gum tissues, they spread to create pockets and eventually damage the bone. If the infection reaches your bloodstream, it can wreak havoc on your body, including your brain, gut, heart, and more.
Using your dental benefits to pay for regular dental checkups and cleanings can reduce the chances of developing gum disease in the first place. Since many companies offer 80-100% coverage for preventive care, you’ll want to see your dentist twice a year so that you can save on out-of-pocket costs.
Gum Disease Treatment Can Minimize Future Problems
If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or tender to the touch, you’re already experiencing the effects of gum disease. If this happens, follow your dentist’s orders to pursue appropriate treatment. Most are covered by dental insurance; however, it depends on whether they classify it as a minor or major restorative service.
Your insurance may pay 50-80% of the total cost; however, you’ll likely need help to review the details of your plan so that you don’t experience confusion. You’ll also need to have met your deductible before you can expect your insurance company to pay more. If you wait until next year, you’ll be required to meet your annual deductible again.
Your Dental Insurance Benefits Won’t Roll Over
As soon as your dentist recommends additional treatment, don’t wait. Doing so will only lead you to pay more next year. Since benefits don’t roll over from year to year, unused funds (annual maximum) are returned to the insurance company. To keep this from happening to you, you’ll need to make sure you take advantage of services designed to improve your oral and overall health, especially if you have diabetes.
You deserve to keep more of your hard-earned money in your wallet, so ask your dentist what you can do to control your diabetes and better maintain your smile at a lower price.
About the Author
Dr. Molly Makos Fraser is a kind and compassionate dentist from New Jersey who is dedicated to helping patients reach their smile goals. Recognizing how costly dental care can be, she encourages everyone who visits our office to use their dental insurance to save with each appointment. Accepting many plans, we can take care of filing claims and explaining what kind of coverage is available. If you have questions about your policy, contact us at (609)324-9500.