Development of gestational diabetes mellitus in women with periodontitis in early pregnancy: A population-based clinical study.
(Journal of Clinical Periodontology; doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13578)
Fen Liu, Wen Sui, Zhi-Fei Zhou, Yang Mi, Tong-Qiang He, Zhi-Bin Li, Yong-Long Hong, Fa-Ming Chen
Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose first diagnosed during pregnancy.
Researchers wanted to know whether gum disease early in pregnancy was linked to its later development.
The study followed 3,523 pregnant women at one hospital in China. Researchers compared women without periodontitis with women who had it and either accepted or did not receive gum treatment. Later blood testing assessed gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurred in about 5 in 100 women without periodontitis, 11 in 100 with untreated periodontitis and 7 in 100 in the treated group.
Certain bacteria and inflammation markers also differed between groups.
These figures describe this study population. As treatment depended on willingness rather than random allocation, the treated and untreated women may have differed in other important ways.
The study suggests a connection worth investigating, but it does not prove that gum treatment prevents gestational diabetes. It also does not mean that developing gestational diabetes is someone’s fault or that it resulted from their dental health.
Gum concerns and pregnancy-related glucose checks both deserve attention, with care discussed through your dental and maternity teams.
Gum treatment cannot replace recommended pregnancy screening.
Following people over time helps researchers study the order of events, but it does not remove all uncertainty.
People with different health or dental histories may also differ in medicines, smoking, access to care and other influences. Some participants may be missing from later assessments. Statistical adjustments cannot fully account for everything.
The results describe patterns in the people studied, not a personal forecast. They should be considered alongside other research and your own clinical findings when discussing their relevance to you.
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Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
