Hormones and Your Dental Health
Female hormones can impact women in so many ways, but did you realise they can also increase your vulnerability to developing gum disease? Higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase the blood flow to the gums. Consequently, gum tissue becomes more sensitive to plaque and bacteria and gums can become inflamed, swollen and will bleed. Eventually, the inflammation can destroy gum tissue, and lead to bone loss around teeth and even tooth loss.
Hormonal levels can change dramatically at specific times of life which are puberty, during menstrual cycles, when pregnant, and going through menopause. At these times, it is important to make sure you brush and floss regularly. The more plaque bacteria you remove, the lower the risk of your gums becoming inflamed.
During pregnancy, hormonal levels change dramatically, and some women develop pregnancy gingivitis, a form of gum disease that can develop from the second month onwards. Good oral care is even more important, so make sure you see us regularly for checkups and cleans. We may recommend more frequent cleanings to help control pregnancy gingivitis.
Menopause causes hormonal levels to decline, and some women develop dry mouth, where they don’t produce enough saliva. A lack of saliva can increase the risk of gum disease and cavities, so talk to us if your mouth is feeling dry.
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