Women are notorious for putting their own well-being on the back burner to dedicate time and energy to family, work, or friends first. Dental care is one of the first types of healthcare that can be pushed to the side. Since March is Women’s Dental Health Month, and all the responsibilities and joys of your life and mental load can impact your oral health as well as the rest of your body and mind, it’s time to figure out how you can prioritize your dental care.
Factors That Influence a Woman’s Dental Health
Take charge of your oral health by learning about the interconnectedness of hormonal challenges and dental health. From puberty to pregnancy to perimenopause, women’s hormones fluctuate significantly over a lifetime. These shifts can significantly affect oral health.
- Gum sensitivity, mouth sores, and swollen salivary glands can develop in a woman’s mouth because of high levels of progesterone in a menstrual cycle.
- Birth control. Increased gum inflammation and a negative reaction to plaque could occur among women who use birth control pills, an IUD, shot, or other hormonal device.
- Pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition for pregnant women, leading to swollen, tender, bleeding gums. Acidity from morning sickness and changes in eating habits can affect tooth health of the mother, and the well-being of the unborn baby.
- Perimenopause and menopause. Pre- and post-menopause are separate hormonal stages but they mark a decline in estrogen levels which can lead to dry mouth (more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease), jawbone loss, and poor tooth stability.
Dental Care Every Woman Needs
If you truly don’t have time for anything else in your life right now, at the very least make sure to visit your Red Bank dentist every six months for the following oral health care:
- Preventive care. Regular dental check-ups include teeth cleanings and dental exams. Sometimes x-rays are taken. These visits aren’t just to scour away plaque and tartar stuck to your teeth, but to give your dentist the chance to look for tooth decay, broken dental work, and more.
- Oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is a serious, life-threatening problem when left undetected. Early signs of this condition are typically identified during brief, thorough exams, conducted at every check-up.
- Early gum disease treatment. Dental visits are the key to diagnosis of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Without efficient recognition and treatment, the problem can progress to the point of pain, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and, eventually, lost teeth.
Prioritize Your Smile Makeover Goals
When your teeth and gums are healthy, it’s time to consider whether you want to upgrade your smile aesthetically. One cosmetic dentistry treatment can make all the difference in how your smile looks and functions.
Consider smile makeover treatments like Invisalign (customized clear trays that slowly moving roots and crowns into alignment), porcelain veneers (thin shields that conceal every aesthetic complaint), or teeth whitening (create a flawless-looking smile that’s multiple shades whiter).
Rely on your dentist Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her team at Red Bank Dentistry to treat your oral health needs. Schedule an appointment for preventive, cosmetic, or restorative dental care.
