Professional News and Articles

Gestational diabetes linked to gum disease

April 14, 2008

Pregnant women with gum disease may be more likely to develop gestational diabetes than those with healthy gums, according to research published in the April issue of the Journal of Dental Research.

The good news for expecting mothers, though, is that this risk factor is treatable.

Gestational diabetes arises during pregnancy and usually resolves after the baby is born, but it can raise a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on. It can also contribute to problems during pregnancy and delivery, including maternal high blood pressure and a larger-than-normal baby, which may necessitate a cesarean section.

“Treating gum disease during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective in improving women’s oral health and minimizing potential risks,” Dr. Ananda P. Dasanayake, the lead researcher on the study and a professor at the New York University College of Dentistry, said in a prepared statement.

Among pregnant women researchers followed, the 8 percent who developed gestational diabetes had higher levels of gum disease-causing bacteria and inflammation. Gum disease can trigger an inflammatory response not only in the gums, but throughout the body. Researchers speculate that such inflammation may exacerbate any pregnancy-related impairment in blood sugar control, contributing to gestational diabetes in some women.

Past studies have also linked gum disease to a higher risk of premature birth, with one theory being that systemic inflammation is involved.

Of the 265 women in the study, 83 percent were Hispanic, a group that is at higher-than-average risk of both gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The women who developed gestational diabetes were also significantly more likely to be heavier before they became pregnant, have had gestational diabetes before, and post higher C reactive protein levels, a marker for inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

“In addition to its potential role in preterm delivery, evidence that gum disease may also contribute to gestational diabetes suggests that women should see a dentist if they plan to get pregnant, and after becoming pregnant,” Dr. Dasanayake said.