If you’re a woman, you know how tough life already is.
As if the widely prevalent socioeconomic issues like sexism, misogyny, and the gender wage gap weren’t enough, nature decided to throw some biological issues like PMS, menopause, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer into the mix!
Oh, and don’t forget the painful and discomforting experience of giving birth. Every month, due to the menstrual cycle, a woman’s body goes through several hormonal changes. These changes can induce many unpleasant effects, such as mood swings, melancholia, sensitivity, and even self-hatred.
But did you know that hormonal changes in a female body can also impact their oral health?
Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can affect the body’s blood supply to gums. Fluctuations in these chemicals can cause gum irritation and even periodontal diseases, making women more susceptible to oral health issues.
So, when are women more at risk for oral health problems? Let’s go through these three stages in a woman’s life during which hormonal fluctuations are at their peak:
Monthly menstrual cycle
The monthly menstrual cycle in women causes severe hormonal imbalances. The luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate at different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Studies have shown that due to these endocrinal imbalances, many women experience oral health issues like menstruation gingivitis a few days before the period begins.
A recent study has also revealed that women who experience irregular menstrual cycles are at a higher risk of developing periodontal diseases before menopause.
Pregnancy
Studies have shown that hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can cause many irreversible changes in the oral cavity. Pregnant women are more at risk of suffering from gum-related issues like gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia, and pyogenic granuloma.
During pregnancy, women are also more susceptible to getting oral cavities because of acid reflux in the mouth created by frequent vomiting. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also shown that children born to women with cavities were three times more likely to have dental carriers themselves.
Dental experts recommend that women shouldn’t skip routine dental checkups during pregnancy. As opposed to popular belief, many dental care procedures can be safely administered during gestation.
Menopause
When ovaries no longer produce an egg, the monthly menstruation comes to an end. This change in a woman’s body is accompanied by several hormonal changes that make their oral cavity more susceptible to dental issues.
According to research published in the Journal of Mid-Life Health, during menopause, oral issues like dry mouth and burning mouth syndrome can occur in a woman’s oral cavity.
These issues can, in turn, cause more significant such as dental caries and periodontal disease.
At West Hills Smiles, we offer dental care services such as teeth whitening, dental implants, and emergency dental care in Woodland, CA. Connect with us today at (818) 346-4303 or visit our website for more information.