Dental Health for Women

It's Women's Health Week (6th-10th September) and at Maven Dental, we’re encouraging all our female patients to set aside some time to prioritize their oral health. 

As we’re all aware, taking care of your teeth is essential to your overall well-being. Women’s needs can slightly differ from men’s due to multiple unique body changes that occur at different stages of their lives, which can negatively impact gums and teeth. 

Women are more at risk to oral health issues during: 

• Monthly Menstrual cycles
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

Menstrual Cycle

Your teeth may be the last thing you think about when it comes to ‘that time of the month’. If you find you have sensitive, swollen or bleeding gums or ulcers during this time, your hormones could be to blame. These oral changes are likely to disappear when your cycle finishes however if they don’t, it is recommended to consult with your dentist.

Pregnancy

It is important to implement a strict oral health routine of brushing, flossing and seeing your Maven Dental dentist regularly to avoid common health issues, including:  

• Pregnancy Gingivitis: Inflamed or red gums caused by higher levels of hormones or poor oral hygiene.
• Periodontal Disease: ?A severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also seen links to premature babies and low birth weight.
• Pregnancy Tumours: ?An increase of blood flow and hormones can cause tumours to form on the gums. They are usually minor and subside by themselves; however, in some cases, they may need to be removed by your dentist.

Menopause

Age brings women wisdom, experience, and confidence; however, it is also accompanied by a significant decline in hormones, leading to oral health issues including dry mouth and burning mouth syndrome.? 

As your body produces less oestrogen and progesterone, saliva production reduces which in turn, increases your risk of dry mouth. If dry mouth occurs, you may not have enough saliva to wash away oral bacteria, increasing your risk of gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. 

During Menopause you may find that meal time becomes a little less enjoyable with tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food, loss of taste and burning/scalding sensations on your tongue, lips, gums and/or throat. These symptoms can be thanks to Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) which is said to be caused by hormones women produce during menopause. 

Menopause also is associated with a drop in oestrogen production (the hormone that protects your bones), and mature women are therefore more prone to developing osteoporosis. If combined with gum disease, osteoporosis can lead to tooth loss and bone loss in your jaw. However, no need to worry if you take action! 

While a lot is happening with your hormones throughout your life that can impact oral health, prevention is always better than cure. It’s time to put yourself first, ladies! Maintain your oral health routine throughout all of life’s challenges to ensure you’re wearing the healthiest, happiest smile possible.