Riley Dental Associates of Central Virginia
Phone: (434) 385-7707
Url:
3709 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501

Lynchburg Dentist | The Periodontal Disease – Diabetes Connection

Dentist Near Me

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes. Almost 65 million Americans have periodontal disease. Recent studies have suggested that there is a two-way connection between diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease. Patients with gum disease have increased risk of other diabetic complications and patients with diabetes are more prone to developing gum disease.

Gum disease causes inflammation in the body, which can make controlling blood sugar more difficult for diabetic patients. Severe periodontal disease has even been shown to increase blood sugar, making it more difficult to maintain or regain good blood sugar control. In addition, when blood sugar is elevated, patients experience increased risks of additional diabetic complications.

Patients with diabetes are more prone to infections in general. This is especially true for patients whose diabetes is not well controlled. Diabetic patients with poor blood sugar control are more likely to develop gum disease than patients whose diabetes is well controlled. Less controlled diabetic patients will generally have a more severe case of gum disease and are likely to lose more teeth from gum disease, as well.

Besides blood sugar control, diabetes includes a number of other health complications. Diabetic patients are more prone to other oral health issues, such as dry mouth or thrush (a fungal infection of the mouth). Reduced saliva production or infection in the mouth can increase risks of developing periodontal disease as well.

Smoking can escalate these risks even further. Studies have shown that smokers are 5 times more likely than non-smokers to develop gum disease, overall. Diabetic smokers age 45 or older have been found to be 20 times more likely to develop severe gum disease.

Fortunately, when diabetes and blood sugar are well-controlled, the risks of periodontal disease and other oral health complications are no different than for patients without diabetes. If you are diabetic, it is important to work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar under control as much as possible to avoid these added health complications.

Be sure to let us know if you have diabetes and how well-controlled it is. We may need to discuss your medication schedule when planning treatments or to postpone a treatment if your blood sugar is not controlled. Keep in mind that healing from treatment can take longer for diabetic patients, even when blood sugar is well-controlled.

If you have questions or concerns about your risk of periodontal disease with diabetes, contact our office for more information.

3709 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501

Phone: (434) 385-7707

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Lynchburg Dental Office

Lynchburg, VA Dentist

Riley Dental Associates, PC

3709 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434) 385-7707

Providing dental care for the communities of:

Appomattox | Lynchburg | Altavista | Amherst | Big Island | Brookneal | Coleman Falls | Concord | Evington | Forest | Gladys | Goode | Hurt | Long Island Lynch Station | Monroe | Naruna | Rustburg | Spout Spring | Sweet Briar

Convenient Office Hours:

Monday:   8am - 5pm
Tuesday:   8am - 5pm
Wednesday:   8am - 5pm
Thursday:   8am - 5pm
Friday:   7am - 3pm

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  • American Dental Association
  • Virginia Dental Association

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PATIENTS ARE SAYING

Lynchburg, VA Dentist

"Love my Dentist office. The receptionist is always so polite and informative. They greet you with a smile and make you feel so at ease. I love my hygenist, she is wonderful and so understanding and gentle. My dentist is truly the best!! I love his casualness and expertise. He doesn't make you feel as if you are just a patient, he makes you feel like family, and actually, so does the entire team at Riley Dental. I have been going to Riley Dentist since my children had their first check-ups and they love him as well."

Betty N.

"I am taking a teeth wellness journey after raising 4 kids and putting them first, me last. I also have had trauma seeing a dentist and so it was no easy feat to begin. The staff here are excellent and professional. Very calming, friendly and understanding. I appreciated the hygienist numbing my gums today for my cleaning. Last time I had this done I was in terrible pain. This time was pain free!! Big work ahead but these are the people I want to take care of me!"

Andrea B.

"I was new to the area and the courteous and professional staff at Riley were able to help me get plugged in right away. They also have knowledgeable staff about insurance policies and claims. This is definitely where I will be going now that I am in Lynchburg."

David B.

"The staff at this practice are amazing. I need a ton of work on my mouth, and I was embarrassed for anyone to look at it. I had my initial appointment yesterday and I was immediately at ease. There was no judgment for the condition of my mouth, and the staff was incredibly kind and caring. I'm very pleased with my decision to choose Riley Dental Associates!"

Ali D.

"My dentist retired just as I needed acute care for loose and painful tooth. Riley Dental Associates worked me in within a few days and treated me like I had been a patient for many years. Very friendly and professional staff. Would be hard to find a better dental practice."

Richard M.

"Riley Dental is amazing. I have been to a few other dental offices in the area and have always had issues with not being numb enough due to sensitive teeth. At Riley Dental I didn't feel a thing! Their staff is very nice and helpful and they will take the time to explain everything. Their process is quick and they have amazing attention to detail. Their office is nice and clean they have a nice waiting area. All my cleaning was covered by my insurance. I also felt like the number of pictures and x-rays they took was enough to show them everything they need. I would highly recommend going to Riley Dental!"

Kurt R.

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Lynchburg, VA Dentist

3709 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434) 385-7707