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Bleeding gums and diabetes? Here’s what you need to know.
People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease and other dental health issues — and that can make their diabetes worse. This science-backed advice can help.
If you’re dealing with a diabetes diagnosis, making a dental appointment may be the furthest thing from your mind. But it absolutely should be on your radar.
Gum disease spreads more rapidly in people with diabetes, according to research.* People with diabetes are also about 50 percent more likely to have severe tooth loss, a recent study finds.* Yet a third of them haven’t seen a dentist in over a year.
Here’s why diabetes and dental issues tend to go hand in hand. Plus, learn simple steps you can take to keep your smile healthy and happy.
The diabetes-dental health connection
Your saliva naturally has glucose, or sugar. But when diabetes isn’t well-controlled, high glucose levels help harmful bacteria grow. These bacteria combine with the sugary or starchy food you eat to form soft, sticky plaque on your teeth and gums. Over time, plaque buildup leads to red and swollen gums that bleed easily. If left untreated, the gums pull away from the teeth. Pockets can form that become infected.
In fact, your gum disease may even worsen your diabetes. When you have gum disease, bacteria can leak into your bloodstream, causing inflammation that raises your blood sugar.* It also raises the chances of developing heart disease. A recent study in the Journal of Periodontology found that people with gum disease have a significantly higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.*
One more reason that gum disease may worsen diabetes: If you have severe tooth loss, it’s harder to eat healthy foods such as crunchy veggies and chewy lean proteins. Such foods can help you control your diabetes.
Could an Aetna care team help you get the care you need?
Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, members get access to a care team to help them stay on top of their health.
Schedule a call with a licensed Aetna agent to learn more about our D-SNPs.
How to keep your teeth healthy
The first signs of gum disease are often swollen, tender or bleeding gums. But sometimes you won’t have any signs at all. That’s why you need to see your dentist at least twice a year. They’ll do a preventive cleaning and checkup to spot early warning signs that the rest of us don’t see. If you do notice bleeding, see your dentist even earlier.
Beyond regular visits to the dentist, following these steps can also help people with diabetes save their smile.
1. Keep your diabetes under good control
Work to keep your blood glucose numbers as close to your target range as possible. If you get your blood sugars close to normal, it will help reduce the gum disease, allowing better healing with dental care.
2. Brush regularly
Because you’re at higher risk for gum disease, you need to brush your teeth more than the usual two times a day:
- First thing in the morning
- Before you go to bed
- After each meal and any sugary or starchy snacks
But it’s not just how often you brush — it’s also how you brush. Start with a soft toothbrush and angle it toward your gumline with small, circular motions. For guidance, it’s also a good idea to have your dentist or hygienist give you a mini-tutorial in their office.
If possible, use an electric or sonic toothbrush instead of a manual one. They appear to work better at reducing dental plaque and gum inflammation. A powered toothbrush may also help if you have arthritis in your hand or wrist. That can make it harder to brush thoroughly.
What about toothpaste and mouthwash? There are many toothpastes and rinses that claim to improve gum health. But the most important thing is to use toothpaste with fluoride.
3. Don’t forget to floss
It’s easy to want to skip flossing when you’re tired and just ready to crawl into bed. But it’s important to floss daily to remove plaque that may have gotten stuck between your teeth. If hand or wrist arthritis makes it difficult to use floss, try an interdental brush. It's often easier to hold.
4. Quit using tobacco
Smokers have twice the risk of gum disease compared to nonsmokers.* The habit weakens your immune system. That makes it harder for your body to fight off a gum infection. And once your gums are damaged, smoking makes it harder for them to heal. It doesn’t matter whether it’s cigarettes, pipes or spit tobacco — they all raise your risk for gum disease.
Want answers to health questions right when you need it?
Become an Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, member, and you can call our 24-Hour Nurse Line to speak with a licensed nurse.
To see if an Aetna D-SNP is right for you, call us at 1-833-228-1297 (TTY: 711) between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days a week.
5. Eat the right foods
Foods you should reach for: fruits, vegetables and lean proteins such as chicken and fish. Dental problems such as tooth loss, dry mouth and gum disease in older age may be diet-related. These issues are linked to a diet low in fruits and veggies and high in saturated and trans fats and processed meats.*
6. Ask for help if you need it
If your health isn’t so great, you may be less mobile. That can make it harder for you to get to the dentist’s office. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend or family member for help.
If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for an Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
If you're 65 or older and have diabetes or an eligible heart disease, you may qualify for an Aetna Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). C-SNPs are currently available in select counties in IL and PA.
You may be eligible for an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) if you’ve lived (or plan to live) in a participating facility for 90+ days or you have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
*FOR GUM DISEASE AND DIABETES SOURCE: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Diabetes & Oral Health. Last reviewed June 2024. Accessed October 26, 20024.
*FOR DIABETES AND DENTAL STATISTICS SOURCE: Patel N, Fils-Aime R, Li C, et al. Prevalence of past-year dental visit among US adults aged 50 years or older, with selected chronic diseases, 2018. Preventing Chronic Disease. April 29, 2021; 18: 200576. Accessed October 26, 20024.
*FOR GUM DISEASE, DIABETES AND INFLAMMATION: American Diabetes Association. Diabetes and Gum Disease. Accessed October 26, 20024.
*FOR GUM DISEASE AND HEART ATTACK OR STROKE SOURCE: Van Dyke TE, Kholy KE, Ishai A, et al. Inflammation of the periodontium associates with risk of future cardiovascular events. Journal of Periodontology. March 2021; 92(3): 348-358. Accessed October 26, 20024.
*FOR SMOKERS AND GUM DISEASE SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking, gum disease, and tooth loss. May 5, 2022. Accessed June 13, 2022. Accessed October 26, 20024.
*FOR DIET-RELATED DENTAL PROBLEMS SOURCE: Kotronia E, Brown H, Papacosta AO, et al. Poor oral health and the association with diet quality and intake in older people in two studies in the UK and USA. British Journal of Nutrition. January 20, 2021; 126(1). Accessed October 26, 20024.
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