NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – As a type I diabetic, Jon Singer knows just how dangerous the disease can be.
"This runs in my family and when my sister was just 33 years old she died from complications related to diabetes," said Singer.
"There's a very, very close connection between diabetes and gum disease and one affects the other," said Dr. Peter Rubelman, a periodontist in North Miami Beach.
Rubelman said that while diabetes increase the risk of gum disease, treating gum disease can, in turn, have a dramatic effect on diabetes.
"In one case, a patient went from a 45o blood sugar down to 120 without anything else, just the treatment of periodontal disease," said Rubelman.
Rubelman said frequent dental visits and good at home oral hygiene are important for everyone and can clearly affect the course of disease.
Singer said he get's the message loud and clear.
"I plan on doing whatever I can to manage my diabetes and stay in control and be there for my children and grandchildren," he said.