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Women & Gum Disease Women have special dental needs at different stages of life. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause all can influence your oral health and the need for dental treatment. During these times your body experiences hormonal changes that can make your gums sensitive and increase your risk for gum disease.

What You Should Know. . . .

The Teen-Age Years

As you reach puberty, you increase your production of the sex hormones progesterone and estrogen.

This hormonal increase can exaggerate the way your gum tissues react to the irritants in plaque. Your gums may become red, tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily when you chew or brush your teeth.

During menstruation, you may notice several changes in your mouth, including swollen gums, lesions, canker sores and swollen salivary glands. Some women don't notice any changes at all. For others, there may be bleeding gums in the days before the period begins. Your dentist may prescribe special cleanings, gum treatment or topical anesthetics to ease any discomfort.

Pregnancy & Your Oral Health

During pregnancy, your body's hormone levels rise considerably. Gingivitis, especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy, may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush your teeth. This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to plaque and is caused by an increased level of progesterone in your system.
Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during your second trimester or early third trimester to help you avoid problems.

If you notice any change in your mouth during pregnancy, see your dentist.

Reaching Menopause

You may notice a number of physical changes when you each menopause, including some that occur in the mouth. These may include a burning sensation, altered taste sensations (salty, peppery or sour), a decrease in saliva flow that can result in dry mouth, and greater sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks.

Saliva substitutes may be prescribed to reduce any mouth dryness. Vitamin C and B complexes may be helpful as well. Some women whose physicians have recommended hormone replacement therapy may notice an improvement in their oral symptoms.

If You are Taking Oral Contraceptives…

One of the most common problems in women who take oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, is inflamed gums.

The hormone in oral contraceptives increases the level of progesterone in your system. Prolonged use of birth control pills may cause your gums to turn red, bleed, and swell in response to any local irritants in the mouth, such as food or plaque.

Good oral hygiene is especially important when taking birth control pill

Our Mission Statement • Dental Health News