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
Objective: To assess periodontal health in pregnant patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to healthy controls.
Key Findings: Patients with T1DM had higher mean bleeding-on-probing rates (30% vs 20%) and higher mean plaque index values (27% vs 14%) compared to controls. Exploratory measures of periodontal wound area were larger in the T1DM group but not statistically significant. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the T1DM group (5.8% vs 5.1%). Older age and longer duration of T1DM were associated with greater periodontal inflammatory burden. Inflammatory markers showed mixed results, with no statistically significant differences between groups. Interpretation:
Limitations: Small sample size (15 patients per group) limits statistical power and generalizability. Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. Multiple variables analyzed without correction for multiple comparisons. Study conducted between 2012 and 2014 may limit applicability to current T1DM management practices. Did not adjust for oral hygiene behaviors, dental-care utilization, socioeconomic status, or frequency of prior dental care. Conclusion:
