Reference no: EM133624144

Question 

You are a member of an interprofessional primary care team, caring for Mary Smith, a 53 year old patient with a history of well-controlled diabetes mellitus, depression, hypertension, and allergies. Today, she presents for routine follow-up for her multiple medical conditions. Mrs. Smith is diabetic, so you perform an oral examination at this visit and advise her to see a dental care provider regularly. What is the probable mechanism connecting periodontal disease with diabetes mellitus? Diabetics with chronically high blood sugar levels have high salivary sugar levels that promote tooth decay in the same way eating foods high in sugar content cause tooth decay. The bacterial and host response in periodontitis releases inflammatory chemical mediators into the bloodstream that have distant effects. Patients with elevated blood sugars have high levels of oral bacteria that lead to increased rates of decay. The medications prescribed to treat diabetes mellitus cause dry mouth, which in turn promotes dental decay.