As a woman,
you know that your health needs are unique, including your oral health needs.
And because your needs are unique, you need to take extra care of
yourself. While women tend to take
better care of their oral health than men do, women's oral health is not
significantly better than men's. This is
because hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many
tissues, including gum tissue. These
fluctuations occur when you mature and change, as you do during puberty or
menopause, or other times when you have special health needs, such as
menstruation and particularly during pregnancy.
According to
the Journal of Periodontology
at least 23 percent of women between the ages 30 to 54 have periodontitis.
And, 44 percent of women ages 55 to 90
who still have their teeth have periodontitis.
Yet many women do not realize they have it until it reaches an advanced
state, which is why regular hygiene check-ups are so important.
Stages of your life - steps to
protect your oral health.
Puberty - an
increased level of sex hormones, such as progesterone and possibly estrogen,
causes increased blood circulation to the gums. This may cause an increase in
the gum's sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation,
including food particles and plaque. Signs to look for in your teenage daughter
are swollen, red and/or tender gums.
It is particularly
important during this time in your daughter’s life to make sure she follows a
good at-home oral hygiene regimen, including regular brushing and flossing, and
regular dental care. In some cases, a dental professional may recommend periodontal therapy to help prevent damage to
the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth.
Menstruation
– can result in menstruation gingivitis. Women with this condition may experience
bleeding gums, bright red and swollen gums and sores on the inside of the
cheek. Menstruation gingivitis typically occurs right before a woman's period
and clears up once her period has started.
Sometimes it occurs concurrent with stressful situations and
menstruation.
Pregnancy -
increase gingivitis or pregnancy gingivitis beginning in the second or third
month of pregnancy that increases in severity throughout the eighth month.
During this time, some women may notice swelling, bleeding, redness or
tenderness in the gum tissue.
As a result of varying hormone levels, between 50%-70% of women will develop
gingivitis sometime during their pregnancy - a condition called pregnancy
gingivitis. In
some cases, gums swollen by pregnancy gingivitis can react strongly to
irritants and form large lumps. These growths, called pregnancy tumors, are not
cancerous and generally painless.
Studies have
shown a possible relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term,
low-birth-weight babies. Any infection, including periodontal infection, is
cause for concern during pregnancy. In fact, pregnant women who have
periodontal disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early
and too small!
To prevent
pregnancy gingivitis it's especially important to practice good oral hygiene
habits, which include brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and
using an antimicrobial mouth rinse. If you are due for a professional cleaning,
don't skip it simply because you are pregnant.
Now more than ever, professional dental cleanings are particularly important.
Oral
contraceptives – while women are taking drugs to help treat periodontal
disease, such as antibiotics, may lessen the effect of an oral contraceptive. So be sure and consult your dentist about all the medications you are taking.
Menopause
and Post-Menopause – not surprising given all the changes happening within your
body, but you may experience changes in your mouth as well. You may notice discomfort such as dry mouth,
pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue and altered taste, particularly
to salt and pepper.
In addition,
menopausal gingivostomatitis affects a small percentage of women. Gums that
look dry or shiny or bleed easily and range from abnormally pale to deep red may
indicate this condition. Most women find that estrogen supplements help to relieve
these symptoms.
Bone loss is
potentially associated with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis. Women
considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help fight osteoporosis should
note that this may help protect their teeth and your jawbone as well as other
parts of the body.
What Should You Do?
See a dental professional for cleaning at least twice a year – you need to monitor
your oral health.
If referred,
see a periodontist in your area. Problems may include: Bleeding gums during
brushing, red, swollen or tender gums.
Other issues such as persistent bad breath or pus between the teeth and
gums. If you’re a denture wearer a
change in the fit of your dentures may occur.
Keep your dentist
informed about any medications you are taking and any changes in your health
history.
Brush and
floss properly every day. Review your
techniques with a dental professional.
If there any
questions that you might have, please call us to discuss them.
Novy
Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290
Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta
(Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
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