07/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2024 09:01
"Even though diabetes is common, many people don't know about its connection to oral health," said Douglas Elsesser, a program analyst with the Dental Program Section of the TRICARE Health Plan. "Uncontrolled diabetes can negatively affect your oral health in many ways."
If you have diabetes, it's important to keep it under control. Here are some examples of how diabetes can affect your oral health:
Poor oral health also makes diabetes harder to manage. Gum disease causes inflammation, which can spike blood sugar levels, which is a concern for people with diabetes.
To properly care for your oral health, you can adopt these practices:
Wondering how TRICARE covers dental care? Dental coverage is separate from TRICARE's health plan coverage. Your dental coverage options are based on who you are:
If you're enrolled in the TDP, you may be eligible for the TDP Wellness Program. The TDP Wellness Program offers expanded coverage at no additional cost to people with diabetes and certain other health conditions. This coverage includes additional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and certain gum surgery procedures. If you have diabetes, be sure to enroll in the TDP Wellness Program through the TDP contractor, United Concordia. To enroll, go to the United Concordia TDP website and log in to My Account.
No matter what other health conditions you live with, it's important to take good care of your oral health. Check out the TRICARE Dental Program Health Matters newsletter for more oral health tips.
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