Protect Your Oral Health During Women’s Health Month

At Blue Coast Dental, maintaining your whole-body health is just as important as keeping your oral health in check. As part of its most recent newsletter, the dentists at Blue Coast Dental are recognizing Women’s Health Month, which is celebrated every May. As it turns out, women have unique oral health concerns that require their own attention. While it may make sense to typically think about breast or ovarian cancer, oral health plays a notable role in women’s health as well.

It’s a fact that oral health has the potential to influence your whole-body wellness. As part of Women’s Health Month, Blue Coast Dental is breaking down not just the influence that oral health has on your entire body, but how it affects women in particular. The more informed you are, the better you’ll be able to protect yourself.

One of the most influential factors that influences the oral health of women is hormone levels. Women experience changing hormone levels at multiple stages of their lives. The menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can all raise your risk for developing problems with your teeth, gums, and mouth.

For example, when hormone levels rise, it can cause your gums to become swollen and irritated. They may even bleed, especially if you are pregnant. The body’s immune system is far more sensitive in this state, which is why it’s especially important to manage inflammation of the gums if it appears. As you experience your menstrual cycle, your hormone levels can also fluctuate, leading to higher levels of progesterone. This hormone can also cause swelling, redness, and bleeding in the gums.

Furthermore, those who take hormonal birth control, which includes the pill, shot, vaginal ring or IUD, may experience increased estrogen and progesterone levels. This can also make the gums sensitive, red or swollen. If you plan on getting a tooth extracted in the future, your risk for dry socket goes up if you’re on hormonal birth control. This is why it’s always crucial to tell our office what medications you’re currently taking prior to treatment.

Finally, those who have experienced menopause will have much lower levels of estrogen as a result. When it comes to oral health, dry mouth is common, which can increase your risk for tooth decay, sore and sensitive gums, infections, ulcers and cavities. It can even increase your risk for osteoporosis, which allows gum disease to happen more quickly. If you lose enough bone inside your jaw, it can increase your risk for tooth loss.