Dentistry for Diabetics
Island Tower Dentistry
Dentistry for Diabetics
Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of getting gum disease and infections, with poor blood sugar control increasing the likelihood of gum problems. Gum disease is often painless and you may not even know you have it until it has already started causing serious damage. The best defense diabetics have against gum disease is regular dental visits.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes can cause: burning sensations, overgrowth of gum tissue, abnormal wound healing, tooth decay, periodontal disease, fungal infections, fruity (acetone) breath, dry mouth, and thickness of saliva. These problems are usually related to oral changes that occur in people who have diabetes.
Diabetic Dentistry in Marco Island
Island Tower Dentistry has been successfully treating its diabetic patients for many years and strives to make dental care a safe and uneventful treatment regime for them. Therefore, when you schedule your visit to our office, plan to follow the recommendations included in our “dental procedures” below.
Your Dental Procedure
- Inform Dr. Van Dyke, Dr. Whelen, and the staff about your diabetes. Also, share any problems with infections or trouble keeping your blood sugar levels under control.
- Eat before you go to the dental office. The best time for dental work is when your blood sugar level is in a normal range and your diabetes medicine action is low. If you take insulin, a morning visit after a normal breakfast is best.
- Take your usual medicines before your dental visit, unless one of our dentists or your physician tells you to change your dose for dental treatment. Island Tower Dentistry will consult with your physician to decide about adjustments in your diabetes medicine or to decide if an antibiotic is needed before treatment to prevent infection.
- Stick to your normal meal plan after your dental treatment. If you can’t chew well, plan beforehand how you will get the calories you need. You may need to eat more soft or liquid foods until you can chew normally.
- If your diabetes is in poor control, wait to have dental treatment until your blood sugar is in better shape. You will need to consult with your physician, Dr. Van Dyke, and Dr. Whelen.
In order to make your dental treatment routine and relaxed, tell us:
- The frequency of your low blood-sugar episodes.
- The medications used, dosage and frequency.
- The timing of your last meal prior to the appointment.
- How often you have glucose testing and your last known level of glycosolated hemoglobin (Hb1ac, with a level higher than 6% indicating poorly controlled diabetes).
- Ask for shorter appointments rather than longer ones.
- We have small snacks available in our office to help you control your blood sugar levels if they should drop.
- Together, we can work as a team to help keep your dental health at its strongest!
Contact Island Tower Dentistry
Dr. Van Dyke, Dr. Whelen, and their qualified team of dental hygienists, dental assistants, and office support staff are ready to assist you with all of your dental needs. To contact Island Tower Dentistry regarding a dental concern or to make an appointment, call 239-394-1004. Our office is conveniently located at 606 Bald Eagle Drive, Suite 200, Marco Island, Florida 34145.
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WHAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY:
A Win-Win Relationship
Going to Island Tower Denistry is such a pleasure instead of my usual dreading to get my teeth worked on. The whole staff is incredibly nice & friendly especially Cody the dental hygienist & Dr Van Dyke. A win-win relationship. I highly recommendRead more “A Win-Win Relationship”
Everyone is Friendly
I love the team at this office. Everyone is always so friendly and happy to see you. Dr. Van Dyke puts me at ease and is so gentle. It makes going to the dentist aRead more “Everyone is Friendly”
The Best I Have Had!
A fantastic office. I have never had such a great experience at a dental office before. From the staff up front to my experience getting some fillings done was the best I haveRead more “The Best I Have Had!”
So Gentle and Informative.
Cody is the best! So gentle and informative. Encouraging of good practices. Keeps track of progress and works to keep my teeth in greatRead more “So Gentle and Informative.”
Excellent Service!
Excellent service. I was scared of going to the dentist but they gave me hope and motivation to work on my teeth. ThankRead more “Excellent Service!”
Frankly Blown Away
Always Available
The Dr & staff have always been available for my needs. I am very pleased with the professional way everyoneRead more “Always Available”
Great Office, Great Staff, and Great Experience.
Read more “Great Office, Great Staff, and Great Experience.”
Amazing Staff
Great office! Amazing staff! Very attentive and knowledgeable doctor. We had an emergency situation where my moms bridge fell off while on vacation. We called the office and scheduled an appointment- everything was done in a very professional manner and the cost of the procedure was reasonable as well. Thank you for your helpRead more “Amazing Staff”
Always a Good Experience
Improved My Regular Cleanings
This office is run very efficiently. Scheduling appointments is easy as well. There are great hygienists who have had great ideas for ways to improve my regular cleanings. Dr VanDyke is friendly and does very goodRead more “Improved My Regular Cleanings”
Kind and Professional
A kind and professional practice where the most anxious individual is made to feels comfortable and isRead more “Kind and Professional”
Love this Place!
Love this place! They have the best team and technology. Thank you Island TowerRead more “Love this Place!”
Professional & Friendly
I love going to Island Tower Dentistry. I know, ‘who says that?’ but this office is awesome. The staff are very professional and friendly. Dr. Van Dyke is caring and very considerate of his patients. Their office is very pretty and clean. A very pleasant and pain free experience!! No, really-PAINRead more “Professional & Friendly”
Extremely Friendly
Dr. Van Dyke and staff were so extremely friendly and helpful. I look forward to comingRead more “Extremely Friendly”
Felt Like I’ve Been Going for Years
He Really Cares
Great Dentist and office!! He really cares about his patients and does a great job on treating your teeth. Also, I felt the office is very clean and a calming environment. I would truly recommend goingRead more “He Really Cares”
Extra Time and Effort
Cody was very thorough as usual with her cleaning process. I mentioned that we were going to be celebrating our anniversary this week and she spent extra time and effort to remove some stubborn stains as well!Read more “Extra Time and Effort”
Love Every Second!
Love every second! The best, kindest and greatest care. Cody was a true gem, Dr. Jonathan was so wonderful to work with! They have been great for our family of 7 & youngRead more “Love Every Second!”
Personable and Thorough!
An excellent cleaning. Dr Van Dyke is very personable and thorough. It was a very pleasant experience. I Recommend themRead more “Personable and Thorough!”
Staff was Fabulous!
Entire staff was fabulous on my recent visit. Dr. Van Dyke and his team were able to see me quickly to assess a toothache. Professional and thoughtful in theirRead more “Staff was Fabulous!”
A Delightful Experience
A delightful experience from the entry greeting through the whole complete process. We went from talented , competent specialist x-ray person to another talented, competent hygienist specialist. Dr. Van Dyke is the epitome of dentistry competence. A dental visit doesn’t get any better thanRead more “A Delightful Experience”
Beautiful Office
Had my “introductory “ visit today. Tomorrow is teeth cleaning appt. The office is beautiful and the staff couldn’t be nicer. Dr Van Dyke was very Thorough And I’m looking forward to having him as myRead more “Beautiful Office”
Saw Us Right Away
On vacation here in Marco Island and Sunday night my fiancé got a tooth infection. Dr Van Dyke was kind enough to call back immediately and saw us right away Monday morning. His staff was also very very wonderful. Thank youRead more “Saw Us Right Away”
I Feel So Relieved
Dr. Van Dyke and his entire office staff were extremely friendly and professional. As a new patient with a lost filling, they immediately worked me into their schedule, and Dr. Van Dyke painlessly and perfectly repaired my tooth. I feel so relieved to have found such a great dentist and caring officeRead more “I Feel So Relieved”
Excellent Experience
The doctor and staff are very caring and provide the best possible options. Excellent experienceRead more “Excellent Experience”
Was Not Disappointed!
Another Wonderful Visit
Another wonderful visit. Everyone that works at Island Tower Dentistry is top notch. The staff is friendly and always makes it a great experience. Highly recommend toRead more “Another Wonderful Visit”
Highly Recommend
Excellent care and suggested modifications to my self-care. I highly recommend Dr. Van Dyke and his entireRead more “Highly Recommend”