Women and Periodontal Health
As women, you know that your health needs are unique. Scientists are aware
that at specific times in a women’s life she needs to take extra care of herself.
As a women matures and changes so do the oral health needs of her body.
Puberty Menstruation, Pregnancy and Menopause all cause different chemical
and hormonal reactions to take place in the body.
While women tend to be more diligent in taking care of their dental needs
women’s oral health is not markedly better. The constant hormone
fluctuations of women’s body affect all the tissues of her body including the
gum tissue thus making it more difficult to keep healthy teeth and gums.
A study published in the January 1999 issue of the Journal of Periodontology
noted that at least 23 percent of women ages 30 to 54 have Periodontitis.
(At this stage of periodontal disease active destruction of the gum and
supporting bone structure is present) And, 44 percent of women ages 55 to
90 that still have their teeth have Periodontitis. Because periodontal disease
is often painless and free of symptoms in the earlier stages, women are not
aware of it until it reaches an advanced stage.
For the majority of women, avoiding periodontal disease and tooth loss is
preventable. The good news is that at every stage of your life there are
steps you can take to protect and safeguard your oral health. Puberty and Menstruation
During puberty, the increased level of the hormone progesterone and possibly
estrogen cause greater circulation of blood to the gum tissues. This may increase
the sensitivity of the gum tissues to irritants like food particles and plaque.
During this time, gum tissues may feel especially tender, swollen and appear
red and inflamed. Often times this is when many young people are wearing
orthodontic appliances such as braces for tooth alignment. These braces make
gum tissues even more sensitive.
Occasionally, some women experience menstruation gingivitis. Women with this
condition may experience bleeding gums, bright red gums, swollen gums or
sores on the inside of the cheek. Menstruation gingivitis typically occurs right
before a women’s period and clears up once her period has started.
The best defense for women during puberty and menstruation is diligent home
care. This includes flossing and brushing. When needed, the use of an oral
irrigating appliance that washes trapped food particles from between your teeth
may be necessary. In some cases, a dental professional may suggest periodontal
therapy to help prevent damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Pregnancy
During the early part of pregnancy women may experience increased sensitivity
of their gum tissues and develop pregnancy gingivitis. This condition marked
by symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness of the gum
tissues may persist or increase throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
In some cases, gums swollen by pregnancy gingivitis can react strongly to
irritants and form large lumps.
Theses growths called pregnancy tumors are NOT cancerous and are generally
painless. If the tumor persists or interferes with chewing and eating it may
require removal by a Periodontist. Studies have shown a strong relationship
between pregnancy gingivitis and pre-term, low birth weight babies. Any
infection, including periodontal infection, is cause for concern during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease run a SEVEN times greater risk
of having a baby that is born too soon and is too small. Babies that arrive too
soon and are too small have a much higher mortality rate. If you are planning
to start a family be sure to include a periodontal evaluation as part of your
prenatal care. Considering that periodontal infections are preventable and easily
treatable, the scientific data support the importance of addressing periodontal
problems promptly especially in women of childbearing age. What could be
more important than the health of your newborn baby? Menopause and Post-menopause
Women in the menopausal and post-menopausal stages of their lives may
experience several changes in their oral health. The dwindling estrogen levels
that follow menopause are associated with a greater risk of tooth loss. Many
women may notice dryness in their mouth or a burning painful sensation of
their gum tissues. An altered sense of taste, especially salty, peppery or sour
may be noticeable.
If you are menopausal or postmenopausal, you may have noticed a change in
the way your mouth looks or feels. You may, for example, experience discomfort
in your mouth, including pain, burning sensations in the gum tissue, or mouth
sores. Saliva substitutes are available to lessen the effects of a “dry” mouth
that some women experience. On rare occasions, a woman may experience
menopausal gingivostomatitis. This condition is marked by gums that may
look dry or shiny, bleed easily, and range from abnormally pale to deep red.
Research studies have found that post-menopausal women may significantly
reduce tooth loss by controlling their periodontal disease. Researchers found
that alveolar bone loss (the bone that holds teeth in the mouth) is a strong
predictor of tooth loss in post-menopausal women. The health of your teeth
depends upon the strength of the alveolar bone holding them in the mouth. Certain Medications may Affect a Woman’s Oral Health
Medications that a woman may take at certain points in her life may impact periodontal health. For instance, birth control
pills may make you more susceptible to periodontal health conditions. The synthetic hormones in birth control pills may
cause your gums to turn red, bleed, and swell. In addition, some commonly prescribed medications such as antidepressants
and certain heart medications may cause dry mouth, increased plaque buildup, or enlarged gum tissue. These conditions
can result in bacterial infections under the gum line, which causes bleeding gums and bad breath. Additionally, the
inflammatory response to the bacterial infection may increase the risk of other disease. Be sure to let your dental
professional know what medications you are taking so your symptoms can be monitored!
Steps To Protect Women's Oral Health
Women of today, more than any other time in history have the power to influence their over all health and well being due
to the large amount of scientific information that is available. Dental scientists know periodontal infections are preventable
in most cases and certainly treatable in people who have developed the condition It is up to every woman to find a dental
professional to teach them to take optimum care of their oral health.
Professional cleanings and diligent at home care are essential over the course of your entire life- not just during puberty,
menstruation years, and menopause. If you experience any of the periodontal symptoms associated with these three
stages of life, notify your dental professional, who will create a treatment plan to best manage your unique oral health.
Finally, in order to have the best oral health possible keep your dental professional informed of your medical history and
all of your medications. Brush and floss every day and see a dental professional for cleaning at least twice a year. http://www.follweilerperio.com/Women.html