Periodontal Health in Maternal and Metabolic Contexts

Periodontal health encompasses the integrity and function of the supporting tissues around the teeth, including gingiva, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. During pregnancy and in metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal fluctuations and low-grade systemic inflammation heighten susceptibility to periodontal disease. Conversely, periodontal inflammation can exacerbate metabolic dysregulation through translocation of oral pathogens and release of pro-inflammatory mediators into the circulation. In maternal populations, this bidirectional interplay has been linked to adverse outcomes such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth and low birth weight. Emerging evidence underscores the importance of early periodontal assessment and intervention as part of comprehensive prenatal and metabolic care. By characterising immunological, microbial and molecular pathways common to maternal and metabolic contexts, researchers aim to develop targeted therapies to restore oral–systemic balance and improve maternal–fetal health worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Periodontal Health in Maternal and Metabolic Contexts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in periodontal health in maternal and metabolic contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Periodontitis: Chronic inflammatory destruction of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone driven by pathogenic bacterial biofilms.

Clinical attachment loss (CAL): Measurement of periodontal support loss, calculated as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): Glucose intolerance first recognised during pregnancy, associated with maternal and neonatal complications.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Endocrine disorder characterised by hyperandrogenism, oligo-ovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology, often accompanied by insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance: Impaired cellular response to insulin signalling, leading to elevated circulating glucose and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia.

Dysbiosis: Disruption of the normal microbial community structure, often resulting in overgrowth of pathogenic species.

References

1. Is There a Difference in the Proteomic Profile of Stimulated and Unstimulated Saliva Samples from Pregnant Women with/without Obesity and Periodontitis?. Cells (2023).
2. Periodontitis and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016).
3. Bidirectional association between polycystic ovary syndrome and periodontal diseases. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).