Hormones can not only alter your weight and mood... They also influence your oral health.
Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone increase blood flow to your gums, making them more susceptible to plaque and bacteria. This causes the gums to become inflamed, swollen, and bleed. If left untreated, prolonged gum inflammation can lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventually tooth loss.
You have to pay attention at each stage:
Puberty
Puberty can cause an increase in gum inflammation, gingivitis with redness and bleeding gums. This is a stage in which it is especially important to maintain effective and routine oral hygiene and to have regular checkups with a dentist or periodontist.
Fertile age
During reproductive years, healthy hormone levels play a protective role in gum health. This does not replace the need for good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups every 6-12 months. oral contraceptives, We must be aware that these are hormones. Some women experience symptoms similar to gestational gingivitis due to the hormones in contraceptives; if these are used for too long, they can damage the tissues surrounding the teeth. Therefore, it is advisable to visit the dentist to have your teeth checked.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can contribute to the development of gingivitis (gum inflammation). This hormonal shift affects the gums, the local immune system, and bacteria. This combination leads to what is known as 'pregnancy gingivitis,' a very common problem between the second and eighth months of gestation. Pregnant women should pay close attention to their oral hygiene during this period and visit the dentist regularly, especially if they had gingivitis before becoming pregnant, as it increases the risk of premature birth and complications for the baby.
Menopause
Upon entering menopause, the protective role of estrogen on the gums decreases, so they should be closely monitored, with extra attention to oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist or periodontist. It is also associated with increased [risk of gum disease/conditioning]. dry mouth, which promotes the accumulation of bacterial plaque, increasing gingival inflammation and cavities.
