May is Women’s Health Month and part of your well-being includes taking care of your smile. Women are known for putting their own personal care needs aside to tend to the people they love first, and professional dental care is one of the things that often gets neglected. Your oral health deserves TLC too so you – and your smile – can be strong and healthy.
Oral Health Challenges for Women
Women experience a host of hormonal changes through their lifetime – puberty, menopause, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause. Any of these occurrences have the potential to impact teeth and gum health.
Women are especially susceptible to oral health problems such as dry mouth (perimenopause), gingivitis (pregnancy), and jawbone loss (post-menopause). Taking care of your mouth is not just about preventing tooth decay – it’s about maintaining the teeth you have now and for decades to come. If your natural teeth can’t go the distance, replacing them with restorative dentistry is the next best thing.
How Hormone Changes Affect Gum Health
Gum disease causes inflammation in the mouth, but the effects of this condition can also affect the entire body. Regular visits to your Red Bank dentist every six months for teeth cleanings, dental exams, and oral cancer screenings is just as important as any physical or annual gynecological checkup for women.
Oral health is closely liked to heart health, diabetes, and more, which makes every brushing, flossing, and big or little bit of dental care so important. Gum health is especially related to dental health during the following hormonal shifts:
- Spikes in hormones during puberty and menstruation can cause gum inflammation, swelling, sore gums, or bleeding.
- Close to three-quarters of pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis because of increased progesterone.
- Both hormone replacement therapy and some oral contraceptives can lead to gum sensitivity or inflammation.
Risks of Ignoring Oral Health Care for Women
Diligent oral hygiene at home is essential to good oral health. Some women may need additional dental care throughout the year beyond two regular visits to ensure their oral health is in good shape. Women who don’t take care of their teeth or ignore consistent professional care are at greater risk of developing and suffering with untreated oral health problems:
- Periodontitis can lead to preterm birth and low birth weight.
- Cavity risk can increase due to dry mouth caused by decreased estrogen in menopause.
- The jawbone can be weakened by bone loss caused by osteoporosis.
- Tooth enamel can be weakened by morning sickness and acid reflux.
Women’s Dental Care in Red Bank, NJ
Your dentist is just as integral to your personal medical team as any other doctor. Oral health is connected to overall health and wellness. Discuss any hormonal changes, health developments, medications, or other shifts in health history at every dental check-up. It’s not difficult to create and protect a beautiful, healthy smile – your dentist is ready to support you along the way.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her team at Red Bank Dentistry in Red Bank, NJ, to prioritize your oral health.
