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+ Experience
Dr. Van Dyke is very friendly and super handsome. All the staff are smiling and helpful. A+ experience and highly recommend.
I Am Thrilled
I was delighted with Dr. VanDyke and his staff. I just had a bridge made and it was perfect. I am thrilled with the expertise and perfection shown by Island Tower Dentistry. I would recommend them highly. Also had a crown recently and periodenture work done. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Friendly and Professional!
Lorraine is a rock star. Friendly, professional, offers suggestions on products to help meet oral health goals.
I Am Going Back!
Couldn’t Ask for More
Lorraine is the best hygienist I have ever been to. She is professional, thorough and knowledgeable. Couldn’t ask for more
Thumbs Up!
This is one of the best dentist office i enjoy going too for the past 3 years now. The receptionist area is the best and makes u want to continue going back. Thumbs up team. Still the best
Highly Recommend
Excellent care and suggested modifications to my self-care. I highly recommend Dr. Van Dyke and his entire staff.
Really Enjoyed My Visit
Great office and team. Really enjoyed my visit with Dr. Van Dyke, and his assistant Sofia was great. Highly recommend it!!
Always Treated Great
Gloria was great. I’m always treated great at Island Tower Dentistry
No Surprises!
Great place, friendly staff, every thing explained, printed out to review, Dr. Van Dyke very pleasant. This place was everything I expected and was used too. No surprises first rate fair prices
Excellent service!
Excellent service, wonderful caring staff. Made actually going to the dentist a comfortable experienced.
Friendly and Efficient!
I’ve had many dentists over the years. These guys are the best. Friendly, efficient and more importantly painless.
Enjoy Going to the Dentist
Cody is great! She has a great patient manner, and makes you feel comfortable the whole time. Makes me enjoy going to the dentist!
Excellent Service!
Excellent service. I was scared of going to the dentist but they gave me hope and motivation to work on my teeth. Thank you
I Highly Recommend
My first procedure by Dr. Van Dyke went so well. He is very kind and caring; conscious of your comfort and wellbeing. Although my procedure took over an hour, I was comfortable and entertained by the under the sea video playing on a large screen. I highly recommend Dr. Van Dyke for your dental needs.
Friendliest Employees
Island Tower by far has the friendliest employees. They always take care of me whenever I go there. Just like everyone else I dread going to the dentist, but here they really do make a difference! I highly recommend this dentistry!
Staff is Outstanding!
Cody is absolutely the best . Her attention to detail is without equal.
She is a complete dental hygienist.
She takes time to explain what’s happening.
She makes certain that you are satisfied when she finishes the appointment
She has the ability to balance a friendly and professional demeanor in an exceptional manner.
High Tech Office!
Everyone is so nice here, Receptionists, Hygienists, and Doctors. It is also a very up to date “high tech” office. Which means the best and most up to date tools are being used on you for whatever procedure you are having done. I highly recommend Island Tower Dentistry!
Pleased to be a Patient!
Great People. Great Dental Care
Great people, great dental care. Highly recommend for all dental needs. Simply the best. Cody did a wonderful job and got me in and out on a busy day.
Outstanding & Professional
Excellent dental office with friendly and professional staff. Doctor was outstanding.
Outstanding as Always
I saw Cody for my regular cleaning and the service was outstanding as always. I have never seen a doctors office like this where all the staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Island Tower Dentistry
I Will Come Back
I found it very professional, friendly , and caring. When I am in this area again I will come back.
Best Possible Hands!
Found My New Dentist!
I had seen another dentist on the Island who was anything but honest. He was rushing to extract a tooth from 30 years ago that had a cyst and replace it with an implant. He was also recommending 2 root canals of the adjoining teeth. He presented my situation as urgent and caused unnecessary worry and cost by sending me to see “his” Endodontist. I ended up paying for yet another consult with a new Endodontist of my choice as I wanted a scan to prove these procedures were necessary —they were not according to the e-xrays.
Needless to say, I was nervous for my appointment at Island Tower Dentistry. However, I had a fantastic experience! Angela welcomed me in a very friendly manner.
I was also quite impressed with my hygienist, Lorraine. She was very helpful in putting me at ease. She seemed genuinely concerned about my situation and allowed me to provide the every detail since they set aside 2 hours for your first visit. She is personable, sweet and did a thorough job cleaning my teeth.
Dr. Van Dyke was extremely kind, thorough and listened intently to my concerns. During the physical examination he assured me that everything appeared to be fine, but wanted to review the scan and said he would follow up with a phone call. The very next morning he called to say that he also believe it was low risk and to monitor the situation of the cyst. And I do not need two root canals. I have complete confidence in Dr. Van Dyke and you should too!
I am happy to have found my new dentist and my new hygienist!
Especially Gifted
Very kind, caring and patient-centric pros. Dr Van Dyke is especially gifted. They’re now my Go To office for Dental work in SW Florida!
Dentist You Can Trust
A Premium Practice
Staff was Fabulous
Very clean and professional, Dental hygienist Cody is very personable, caring and thorough. Entire staff was fabulous on my recent visit.
Top Notch
Everyone here is highly professional & very nice. Top notch.