Background and purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the main complications in pregnancy.  Periodontitis associated with increase in inflammatory factors is a risk factor in pregnancy. In this study we investigated the relation between periodontitis and related inflammatory mediators and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and methods: A total of 100 singleton pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 100 singleton pregnant women with normal glucose level (gestational age >20 weeks) were included. The patients underwent dental examinations and those with periodontitis and gingivitis were identified. Blood samples were taken and ESR and hsCRP were measured in all patients. Data was analyzed in SPSS applying independent t-test and qui square.

Results: The prevalence of periodontitis in patients and controls were 36% and 28%, respectively (P= 0.22). All periodontitis were moderate and no severe periodontitis was observed. Gingivitis was seen in both pregnant women with diabetes (74%) and control patients (83%) (P= 0.12). Among the subjects 18% of patients and 22% of the control group had severe gingivitis while others had moderate to mild gingivitis (P= 0.45). Dental plaques were seen in 73% of pregnant women with diabetes and 91% of the control group (P= 0.01). No significant relationship was seen in inflammatory mediators between the individuals with/without periodontitis and gingivitis.

Conclusion: In this study, no relationship was found between gestational diabetes, gingivitis, severity of gingivitis, periodontitis, and inflammatory markers. According to the lower levels of dental plaque in pregnant women with gestational diabetes other reasons rather than poor oral hygiene are believed to be involved. Due to higher false positive estimation of probing depth caused by gingival hypertrophy in pregnancy, more precise criteria are needed to investigate periodontitis in pregnant women.