Does Gum Disease Boost Risk for Pregnancy-Related Diabetes?
April 15, 2009

by Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - A new study carried out in Sri Lanka reports of an association between gum (periodontal) disease and gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes happens only during pregnancy. It can lead to a very large baby, which can cause problems during birth. The condition usually goes away once the baby is born. But women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

The study involved 190 pregnant women who lived in Sri Lanka. About one-third of them said that their gums bled when they brushed their teeth.

All women were given dental exams. Their blood was tested for high levels of sugar. Those with bleeding gums were more likely to have high levels of blood sugar, which indicates diabetes.

An earlier study, done in New York, included 256 women. During the first 6 months of pregnancy, 8% developed gestational diabetes. Those women tended to have more periodontal bacteria in their mouths and weigh more than women who did not develop diabetes. They also had more gum inflammation.

Additional research is necessary to determine if periodontal disease is associated with gestational diabetes.

Periodontal disease in pregnant women has been linked with other unwanted outcomes, including low birthweight and premature birth.

The Sri Lankan study was presented April 4 at the annual meeting of the International Association of Dental Research. The New York study appeared in the April 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Research.