Episode 28: Randy Jackson Raises Awareness About Type 2 Diabetes and Oral Health

Randy Jackson has lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly 2 decades. Ignoring advice from his dentist who had noticed signs of diabetes in Randy's mouth, the award-winning producer and former American Idol judge landed in the ER with a blood sugar over 500 mg/dL.

Today, thankfully, his diabetes is well controlled. Randy has teamed up with Colgate toothpaste to raise awareness about diabetes and the link between blood sugar and gum disease.

People living with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease. Good oral hygiene can prevent and reverse gingivitis—the most common form of gum disease. As Randy says, "Your mouth is the window into your body, so your dentist can help catch some problems early on."

For more information about the "Everyday Reality" of living with diabetes and the campaign, follow the #EverydayReality conversation on Instagram @Colgate and @AmDiabetesAssn.

Ann Matturro Gault, Editor of OnTrack Diabetes and Host of The Diabetes Dish Podcast