According to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology, pregnant diabetics have more gingival inflammation and deeper pockets between their teeth and gums, which are symptoms of periodontal disease, than non-diabetic pregnant women...

More Severe Periodontal Disease Poses
Additional Threat to Pregnant Diabetics

Pregnant diabetics have more gingival inflammation and deeper pockets between their teeth and gums

CHICAGO – November 21, 2001 – Pregnant diabetics have more gingival inflammation and deeper pockets between their teeth and gums, which are symptoms of periodontal disease, than non-diabetic pregnant women, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology. These findings are significant because periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that may make diabetes more difficult to control. Previous studies have shown that periodontal disease may increase women's risk of delivering a preterm, low birth weight baby. Study Abstract *

The study compared 13 type-1 diabetic and 20 non-diabetic women in their 20-39th week of pregnancy. "Many women experience periodontal problems, such as bleeding and swollen gums, during pregnancy," explained Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., the lead researcher of the study conducted at the University of Iowa, Colleges of Dentistry and Medicine. "But the more advanced periodontal disease we observed in pregnant diabetics, who are already considered high risk for pregnancy problems, may affect blood sugar control during this critical time."

Exacerbating the problem, periodontal disease may independently be a risk factor for preterm, low birth weight babies. Periodontal disease may trigger increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor, and this response may be amplified in diabetics. "This self-perpetuating destruction could potentially further complicate diabetic control and pregnancy outcome in diabetic subjects," according to the study.

"This study vividly illustrates just how connected our bodies' processes can be. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and the infection may impact other parts of the body," said Kenneth Bueltmann, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "Treating periodontal disease and reducing the bacteria load may benefit diabetic control as well as pregnancy outcomes."

"Our hope is that periodontal evaluations will be routinely included in the prenatal care of pregnant diabetic women, just as ophthalmologic exams are," said Guthmiller. The AAP recommends that all women considering pregnancy have a periodontal exam.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Diabetes & Gum Disease are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive a copy of the study Periodontal Disease in Pregnancy Complicated by Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online for $20.

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