T1DM Pregnancy Linked to Gum Inflammation

Pregnant patients with type 1 diabetes had higher bleeding-on-probing and plaque levels than healthy controls in a small pilot study, though most other periodontal measures did not differ significantly between groups.

By
Andrea Surnit
May 27, 2026
4 min

Conexiant

Overview

This pilot study found that pregnant patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) exhibited higher rates of bleeding on probing and plaque index compared to healthy controls. The findings suggest a need for increased periodontal screening and follow-up in this population.

Background

Pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents unique challenges, including increased risks for both maternal and neonatal complications. Oral health, particularly periodontal disease, has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, making it crucial to assess and manage periodontal health in this patient group.

Data Highlights

Measure	T1DM Group	Control Group
Bleeding on Probing	30%	20%
Plaque Index	27%	14%
Deep Bleeding Periodontal Wound Area	5.5 cm²	3.0 cm²
Total Bleeding Periodontal Wound Area	6.3 cm²	3.9 cm²
HbA1c Levels	5.8%	5.1%

Key Findings

Patients with T1DM had higher mean bleeding-on-probing rates (30%) compared to controls (20%).
The mean plaque index was higher in the T1DM group (27%) than in controls (14%).
Exploratory measures indicated larger periodontal wound areas in T1DM patients, though not statistically significant.
HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the T1DM group (5.8%) compared to controls (5.1%).
Older age and longer duration of T1DM were associated with greater periodontal inflammatory burden.
Inflammatory blood markers showed mixed results, with some trending higher in T1DM patients.

Clinical Implications

The study highlights the importance of periodontal assessment in pregnant patients with T1DM due to observed differences in periodontal health. Clinicians should consider integrating routine periodontal evaluations into prenatal care for this population.

Conclusion

Increased bleeding on probing and plaque levels in pregnant patients with T1DM suggest a need for enhanced periodontal care. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings.