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PUBLISHED ON 05/05/20
Many women are unaware that hormonal changes throughout their life can increase the risk of tooth and gum diseases. The fluctuating levels of female hormones can affect dental health by causing swelling and changes to the gums, with effects prominent during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Medications such as the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy can also have an effect.
• The contraceptive pill causes higher levels of hormones which can lead to gums swelling and increased sensitivity. It also leads to an increased risk of ‘dry socket’, which is when you have a tooth extracted and the blood clot doesn’t form properly over the extraction site. If you need to have a tooth removed, try and schedule it for the last week of your cycle when you are taking the inactive pills.
• Hormone replacement therapy causes a similar effect to the pill, with a potential increase in gum swelling and redness.
• Some medications such as heart medicines, anti-allergy and anti-depressant medications and sedatives can cause a dry mouth. Your dentist may recommend salivary substitutes or topical fluoride rinses.
During pregnancy, you can be at an increased risk of certain dental health conditions, such as decay, gingivitis and pregnancy epulis. Pregnancy gingivitis is first seen 12 weeks into a pregnancy, and can continue throughout the second and third trimesters. Pregnancy epulis is a swelling on the gums caused by gum inflammation, which may or may not need removal. There is also the risk of damage from stomach acid if the woman is experiencing morning sickness. If you’re pregnant and experiencing any of these conditions we recommend booking in a consultation.
If you have wisdom teeth that are at risk of being impacted, there is a risk of these getting infected during pregnancy with serious consequences. We recommend having wisdom teeth looked at and removed if need be before becoming pregnant.
P.S. The old wives’ tale that says a woman loses a tooth after each pregnancy isn’t true!
Menstruation in women leads to a higher level of hormones, that may cause tender, sensitive gums. If girls or women already have gingivitis, this can worsen immediately before a period (‘menstruation gingivitis’). It’s important to pay attention to good brushing and flossing, particularly during this time. Girls and women are also more likely to have bad breath just before a period, as the hormone fluctuations can lead to changes in saliva and increased bacteria in the mouth. To reduce bad breath floss daily and brush twice-daily, clean your tongue with a toothbrush or scraper, drink plenty of water, limit coffee and alcohol intake, chew sugar free gum, and quit smoking if you do smoke.
Eating disorders and diet pills can have negative effects on a woman’s oral health. A woman with an eating disorder is more likely to make herself vomit; the stomach’s contents are highly acidic, and can easily damage teeth with repeated contact, eroding enamel surfaces. Diet pills, on the other hand, decrease saliva in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. To minimise the risk drink extra amounts of water, increase brushing and flossing and use a fluoride mouth rinse. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, we recommend you book in a consultation.
The decrease in female hormone levels from menopause in women can lead to oral health problems, such as burning sensations or pain in the mouth, dry mouth, a bad taste or sensitive gums. These can be relieved by good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits. If osteoporosis occurs, this can cause thinning of the jawbones, although this alone won’t cause tooth loss unless periodontitis is also present. Bisphosphonates, however, a medication used to treat osteoporosis, can cause serious problems of the jaw bone in some women. If you have any concerns about menopause and your dental health it’s recommended to book in a consultation.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the effect of hormones on your dental health, we recommend booking a consultation with your dentist. The important thing to remember is you’re not alone, and that it’s normal for hormone changes to affect dental health.
For your convenience, you can book online here.
Source: The ADA’s Women’s Dental Health factsheet, Edition 4.
