Dental Health
Your Dental Health: Covered by Medicaid!
Did you know if you have McLaren Medicaid that you have dental insurance?
Care for Every Stage of Life
- For Kids: Healthy habits start early! Regular visits help children grow strong teeth and prevent painful cavities. Starting at age 1 (or when the first tooth appears), kids should see the dentist every 6 months.
- For Adults: Keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime is the goal. Regular cleanings prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
- For Pregnant Members: Changes in your body can make your gums sore or swollen. Safe dental care during pregnancy protects you and your baby.
- For Members with Diabetes: Diabetes can make it harder for your body to fight germs in your mouth. Keeping your gums healthy can actually help you manage your blood sugar.
What is Covered?
We want to make sure you have access to three main types of care:
- Preventive (Staying Healthy): This includes regular cleanings, fluoride treatments for kids, and sealants for kids to stop cavities before they start.
- Diagnostic (Checking for Problems): This includes exams and X-rays. These help your dentist see what is happening under the surface.
- Restorative (Fixing Issues): If you do have a problem, Medicaid covers things like fillings to fix cavities and other treatments to get your smile back on track.
The Power of "Staying Put"
When you see the same dentist every time, it is called Continuity of Care. Having one "dental home" is great because:
- Your dentist learns your history.
- You feel more comfortable and less nervous.
- Small problems are caught early so they don't turn into big ones.
Don’t Wait for the Pain!
Many people wait until they have a toothache to see a doctor. This often leads to a trip to the Emergency Room (ER).
The ER can give you medicine for pain, but they cannot fix your tooth. By going to your dentist every 6 months, you can avoid emergency situations and keep your mouth pain-free.
A Healthy Mouth = A Healthy Body
Your mouth is like a "window" to the rest of your body. When your mouth is healthy, it helps the rest of your body stay strong. When there are problems in your mouth, like germs or gum disease, it can make other health issues worse.
How your mouth affects your health:
- Heart Health: Germs from infected gums can travel through your blood to your heart. This can lead to redness and swelling (inflammation) in your heart and blood vessels.
- Lung Health: If you have a lot of germs in your mouth, you can breathe them into your lungs. This can cause infections like pneumonia or make it harder to breathe if you have asthma.
- Brain Health: Some studies show that keeping your gums healthy may even help keep your brain sharp as you get older!
- Blood Sugar: As we mentioned before, gum disease and diabetes are like a two-way street. Gum disease can make your blood sugar go up, and high blood sugar can make gum disease worse.
Your dentist is part of your medical team!
During your checkup, your dentist doesn't just look at teeth. They look for signs of other health problems. Taking care of your smile is one of the best ways to take care of YOU.
Quick Tips for a Healthy Body:
- Brush twice a day to keep germs away.
- Floss once a day to clean where your brush can't reach.
- See your dentist every 6 months to catch problems early.
Why This Matters for You
Since Medicaid covers your dental visits at 100%, you have a free tool to help keep your heart, lungs, and whole body healthy. Don't wait—protect your health by booking an appointment today!
Ready to find a dentist? Click here or call customer service at 888-327-0671 (TTY: 711). They can help you find a dentist in your area who is ready to see you!