Take our assessment to find out your risk level for developing diabetes.

Currently, 29 million Americans are diabetic and about 8 million don’t know it yet. By the year 2050, one in three Americans is projected to be diabetic. Type II diabetes has become an epidemic in America and is only expected to grow.

But did you know that it is very preventable and even reversible with simple lifestyle habits? Maintaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise can greatly reduce your risk of developing type II diabetes. If you do develop diabetes, it can be controlled with diet and exercise as well.

And, the research is clear – oral health is also key. Keeping sources of inflammation under control, including inflammation from gum disease, is vital in managing diabetes and reducing risk of other systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease.

Take our risk assessment below and watch the video below for more information.

DIABETES RISK ASSESSMENT:

Score yourself 1 point for every “yes” answer and 0 for every “no”.

1. Are you more than ten percent above ideal body weight OR is your waist above 35” for women and 40” for men? _____
2. Do you have any biologic family members with a history of diabetes? _____
3. Are you of African American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Hispanic, or Arabic descent? _____
4. Do you have a history of or take medication for high blood pressure? _____
5. Do you have or take medications for high cholesterol or abnormal good/bad cholesterol ratio? _____
6. Do you experience tingling, pain, or numbness in your hands or feet? _____
7. Do you experience unexplainable hunger, thirst, or frequent urination? _____
8. Have you experienced blurred vision, cataracts, or glaucoma? _____
9. Do you seem to be slow to heal from a cut or a bruise? _____
10. Have you had skin infections, foot ulcers, velvety skin or neck folds? _____
11. Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? _____
12. Women: Did you have gestational diabetes if pregnant? _____
13. Women: Do you have a history of frequent yeast infections? _____

Total up your points:

If you scored between 0 – 2, you are at low risk for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

If you scored 3 or more points you have a moderate to high risk. You should get further diagnostic testing done for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Watch Dr. Doug Thompson speaking with Dr. Ford Brewer, MD, MPH, in the video below discussing earlier detection and how dentists can help patients identify early signs of diabetes.

This assessment was modified from: Aldasouqui SA. “Diabetes detection in the dental office (DIDDO): A promising emerging opportunity for screening for undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes” AACE 2015  © 2015 Wellness Dentistry Network