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:
Efficient and Friendly
Staff is efficient and friendly and Cody is great with the cleaning process.
On Time and Efficient
Friendly, clean office. On time and efficient also. Lorraine was a great dental hygienist. Overall a very positive experience. Will keep going back. Met Dr. Van Dyke last visit – also very personable.
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 you want to continue going back. Thumbs up team
Excellent Job
Cody the dental hygienist did an excellent job. She is very thoughtful and communicates well with regards to the issues and process to correct.
Very Professional.
Sofia was the sweetest. Dr. Van Dyke is very professional.
Staff was Fabulous
Very clean and professional, Dental hygienist Cody is very personable, caring and thorough. Entire staff was fabulous on my recent visit.
Outstanding Dental Practice!
Incredibly Friendly
Incredibly friendly office starting with the receptionist Angela and everyone else involved. They made sure to see me the day I called with one of those dental emergencies and did an outstanding job for this Snow Bird. Would highly recommend.
Winning Combination
Friendly front desk staff, knowledgeable hygienist and Dr Schulze. A winning combination!
Everyone is Welcoming
Everyone at the office is welcoming and do their jobs well. Like everyone there but glad I only see them several times a year for teeth cleaning!
Gentle Care
As with every visit, I have received courteous and gentle care (and painless shots) from these dental professionals. I recommend Island Tower Dentistry to one and all.
Can Recommend with Confidence
No, Really-PAIN Free!!
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-PAIN free!!
A Premium Practice
Good and Gifted
Dr. Van is wonderful caring man. He is so good and gifted in what he does that you feel so comfortable with him. Thank you Dr. Van for the wonderful work on my Gums .
Environment is Beautiful
The staff is very friendly and the environment is beautiful, relaxing and clean. I would recommend Dr. Van Dyke to anyone due to his professional background and how he serves his patients.
Experienced, Knowledgeable and Thorough
Cody is a very experienced, knowledgeable and thorough hygienist. She helped me to considerably improve the health of my gums. Thank you.
I Highly Recommend Him.
Dr. Vandyke is the man. Super knowledgeable and very kind. I highly recommend him.
Doctor and Staff are Top Notch!
I called Dr. Van Dyke’s office and explained my emergency situation. I was then told to come right over and would be squeezed in. My problem was then rectified very quickly. All future options were explained in detail. Doctor and staff are top notch!
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.
Staff is Awesome!
Best Dentist on Marco. The staff is awesome. Cody is my Dental Hygienist. I have my teeth cleaned every three months. I was telling her I think I’d rather have my teeth cleaned than have a massage lol!
Very Pleased
Superior Service
Very friendly staff. Quick and efficient, no long waiting time in the lobby. Affordable. Superior service. Highly recommend.
Terrific Care
As always, terrific care and service. Tonya is great!
Experience was Great!
Dr. Van Dyke was very professional and the staff was knowledgeable and curious. My experience was great.
Explained Everything
Very professional and yet felt very comfortable with my hygienist. She explained everything and was asking if I was okay with the procedure. I was!
Very Personable
All the staff is very personable. Dr. Was informative and honest about my treatment. This was my first experience with him after Dr Schultze (12+ yrs) and I was happy with style & treatment. Will continue my association.
Beyond a Pleasant Experience
August 24, 2022
It is not often that one thinks of a visit to the dentist as a pleasant experience – but it can be. I just finished my cleaning and checking and all went well. Cody – my hygienist – was her typical professional and pleasant self. Angela and Hannah rounded out the visit – all-in-all pleasant experience. If you need dental care in the Marco Island area, you won’t do better. Thank you. I’ll be back.
May 25, 2022 –
Just finished a short appointment with Island Tower Dentistry. It pays to arrive a little early for me. Angela, Hanna, and Dr. Van Dyke got me right in and I was done in about 30 minutes. Great service. The folks are always very pleasant and cheerful. Makes a dentist visit a nice experience.
I have been using Island Tower Dentistry since 2013 – three time per year. My experience has always been great. With a couple of retirements since I first started coming to them, I want to acknowledge some of the new staff. Cody my, hygienist, does a great job. Very professional and personable. Angela, Hanna, and Hanna B. Teresa, and Gloria – and Dr. Van Dyke of course – make a great team. I can recommend them with confidence.
Just an updated from my last review. Today I had my cleaning and checking with Cody. She did her typical great job. The team is managing the challenges of Covid with efficiency and ease. I have booked my next appointment and hopefully the next time we will be beyond the mask and Covid plans. I can recommend the team at Island Tower Dentistry.
April 20th, 2022. Just had my cleaning and checking appointment at Island Tower Dentistry. If one can say it is a pleasure to go to the dentist, I will. We are fortunate to have access to top quality dental care and all the health benefits that come with it. Cody did her typical great job. Not only is she professional in her care, she is informative and personable throughout the process. Angela and Hanna rounded out the encounter with their friendly service. Now I’m good until the next appointment in 4 months. Thank you folks.
Excellent Experience
The doctor and staff are very caring and provide the best possible options. Excellent experience .
So Glad I Chose His Team
I had several dentists recommended to me and after reviewing all of them, went with Dr. Van Dyke. I am terrified of dentists! The dentist and his staff are wonderful. They made sure I was doing okay along the treatment. I am so glad I chose his team. Oh and Bethany was awesome!