Dumb question about dental visit

So, I went to a dentist today for the first time in WAY TOO LONG.
Like, before I was dx'd as Type 2. Bad me, I know.. but I didn't have
dental insurance, and dentists scare me.
She did some test for bone loss, where she took a pick thing that
had measurements on it and stuck it into my gums around all my teeth.
She was calling out numbers to the assistant who was charting them.
I had mostly 1's and 2's, with a couple of 3's and one 4. The 4 was on
the tongue side of my back molar, and she said she thinks I just have
a lot of gum there.
What do the numbers mean? What is considered good/bad?
Also, she said that failing to maintain your teeth can lead to poor
blood glucose control. Is this just because of the risk of infection, or is
something else at work there?
Thanks!

Amy


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