May is Women’s Health Month, and a time set aside to recognize how women’s health can be different from men’s as well as the challenges they face for their health. While many may first think of gynecology-related health concerns, women’s health is much more and reaches into dental health.
From puberty to menopause, a woman’s dental health is affected by hormones, health conditions, and illnesses. And during each life stage, women need to know how to best protect their dental health. Read on to find out how growing through these life stages can affect women’s dental health and how your Pharr family dentist can help.
How Does Puberty Affect Women’s Dental Health?
When a young girl is growing into womanhood, her hormones increase rapidly and high levels of estrogen and progesterone can actually cause gum sensitivity.
Without consistent oral hygiene habits, regular deep dental cleanings, and dental check-ups, sensitive gums can quickly become puberty gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums.
Menstrual Cycles and Their Effects on Women’s Dental Health
A woman’s monthly cycle can cause bad breath, tooth and gum sensitivity, canker sores, swollen gums, and sometimes bleeding gums. This is due to an increase in hormone levels and salivary proteins in the mouth.
Because of these changes, it’s best to wait about a week after the end of a menstrual cycle before having a deep dental cleaning or procedure. This can help avoid further irritations to the teeth and gums. However, women are encouraged to continue with their oral hygiene habits during this time frame, including tongue brushing and frequent daily fluoride rinses to protect their dental health.
How Do Regular Dental Cleanings Protect Women’s Health During Pregnancies?
From surges in hormone levels to morning sickness and acid reflux, the teeth barrier is often lost during pregnancies. Pregnant women often face an increased chance of cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and sometimes, oral tumors.
Some studies have shown that a mother’s poor oral health may lead to preterm birth and low birth weight. But with regular dental cleanings during each trimester, women can fight off plaque and tartar, keeping their teeth and gums healthy.
The Effects of Menopause on Women’s Dental Health
When women go through menopause, their hormone levels drop. And just like an increase in hormone levels, this drop also changes women’s dental health. Menopause can cause receding gums, gum sensitivity, bad breath, dry mouth, loose teeth, chewing pain, and much more.
If a woman has a health condition or illness such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, or heart disease, her oral health can be even more compromised. Reducing the amount of sugar consumed, solid hygiene habits, and regular visits to the dentist can help protect women’s health during menopause.
From Childhood to Adulthood: Protect Women’s Dental Health at Heroes Dental!
Protecting women’s dental health starts at a young age! When young girls are taught good hygiene habits and have regular dental cleanings, they can grow through each life stage with a better chance for excellent dental health.
And it’s never too late to start visiting the dentist.
Maybe you’re an adult woman and haven’t been to the dentist in a long time. Or maybe you have a woman in your life and you’re concerned about protecting her dental health. Regardless of the reason, start protecting your loved one’s dental health during Women’s Health Month by scheduling a visit with Heroes Dental in Pharr.
With an experienced and compassionate dental team, you can trust us to care for the women, or girls, in your life.