Severe Periodontitis Linked to Higher GDM Risk in Older Pregnant Women, suggests study

A new study published in the Journal of Periodontology by Zhang and colleagues has identified a significant association between severe periodontitis and an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women aged 30 years and older. The research highlights how worsening gum disease may contribute to disruptions in glucose regulation during pregnancy. The authors suggest that systemic inflammation, a common feature of both periodontitis and metabolic disorders, may partly explain this link. Interestingly, the association was not found among younger women, suggesting that age may amplify the biological effects of oral inflammation on metabolic health. The investigators proposed that chronic periodontal inflammation could lead to the release of inflammatory mediators suc