Women go through various changes in life that men don’t really have to think about, and while you may not immediately think those changes affect your oral health, and your teeth, they absolutely do! From pregnancies to menopause, hormonal changes, and even menstruation, women absolutely have special needs when it comes to tooth care that shouldn’t be ignored.
How Hormones Affect Oral Health
Because of the fluctuation many women go through with their hormones on a regular basis, multiple parts of the body can be affected, including the mouth. Some of these issues are naturally occurring from the body – for example, if a woman’s hormone levels begin to increase dramatically, she can be at risk for things like lesions, swelling gums, and even dry sockets. Things like birth control or hormone replacement therapy can also cause gingivitis, or gum disease.
Women, unfortunately, can also be more susceptible to dry mouth, and problems with the jaw, which can additionally affect the teeth.
It’s important for women to understand how their hormones affect the health of their mouth, and to try to keep them stable as much as possible. If you find that you’re going through a point in your life where your hormones may be fluctuating, the best thing you can do for your mouth is increase your overall oral care. That can include things like additional brushing, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and of course, visiting your dentist regularly.
Women may have more to think about than men when it comes to keeping their tooth care up to par, but with the right kind of care, the necessary precautions, and the right information about how hormones may affect your mouth more than you realize, there’s no reason every woman can’t have a beautiful, healthy smile at any age.
