You might not realize it, but there is a connection between your weight, mood, and sex drive to your dental health. And there is one thing that can make all these parts of your health go crazy, and that is your hormones. You may be surprised to learn that you may be more vulnerable to gum disease because of your hormone surges.
With an increase in female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) present in the body, there is an increase in blood flow to your gums, which causes them to become sensitive and “overreact” to any irritation. Women are susceptible to plaque and bacteria around the gums when their hormone levels increase.
Your Period
You may not notice any change in your mouth in the days before your period. But if you see an increase in have swollen gums, bleeding gums, or canker sores when you’re on your period, your hormones may be to blame. Speak to your dentists about your monthly cycle and how it affects the health of your gums. The best thing you can do is stay on top of your daily dental health routine and schedule cleanings as often as possible.
Birth Control Pills
Inflammation was a common side effect for women taking birth control in the past. The estrogen and progesterone levels in today’s birth control prescriptions are too low to cause any issues with your gums. Still, you should make sure your health history forms are up to date if you take birth control. Dentists often need to write prescriptions, and unfortunately, some common medications can cause the birth control to be less effective.
Another risk with birth control comes when you need to have a tooth removed. You may be at risk for a painful complication called dry socket. According to a 2016 report from the Journal of the American Dental Association, women who use oral contraceptives were nearly twice as likely to experience dry socket than those who were not on the pill.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body is going through a massive spike in hormones. Some women develop pregnancy gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease where gums end up red, tender, and sore. It shows up between the second and eighth months of pregnancy, and you can easily keep it under control with good oral hygiene. Regular visits with your dentist during pregnancy, especially if you notice any other changes in your mouth.
Menopause
Menopause is a massive change in a woman’s life, including a woman’s oral health. They experience many changes, including altered taste, as well as burning sensations and increased sensitivity in your mouth. There are all related to hormones, and the two significant changes to be aware of are dry mouth and bone loss. Saliva helps keep your teeth and mouth and clears out cavity-causing bacteria. When you have dry mouth, your saliva production decreases and puts you at more at risk for cavities.
We recommend using a good fluoride toothpaste, which will help you reduce the risk of tooth decay. You also need to pay attention to what you eat, since it makes a dry mouth difference. Try to avoid eating salty, spicy, sticky, and sugary foods, mainly dry foods. Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine can make dry mouth worse. If it becomes an issue at night, try using a humidifier in your room.