How Hormone Changes Can Impact Your Gum Health
There are so many things that can have an affect on your overall dental health and wellness. The team at our Warsaw restorative dentistry practice always attempts to address the root cause of a dental problem, or at least adapt treatments to consider the root cause.
Changes and imbalances in hormones are one of the unexpected causes of gum health problems. Let's explore this issue in more detail.
Hormones and Your Gums
Hormones are an important part of your body functioning properly. They help regulate many bodily functions and processes, such as mood, organ function, and fertility. When hormones become imbalanced, this can potentially increase the blood supply to your gums. With more blood around the gums, this means an increased risk of gum disease and other dental health problems.
Hormones change in everyone at certain points in life, though women experience more of these changes than men do. Below are some different kinds of hormone changes that result in increase gum health issues.
Puberty and Periodontal Health
When going through puberty, changes in your hormones are to be expected. Heightened levels of estrogen and progesterone typically leaves adolescents at greater risk for developing gum disease. Tooth decay and gum irritation risks are also increased because of these hormone imbalances.
A Woman's Monthly Cycle and Periodontal Health
During menstruation, women will experience increased levels of progesterone in their bodies. This hormone imbalance leads to a greater risk of bleeding gums and swelling of the gums. There's also an increased risk of canker sores and salivary glands.
Birth Control and Periodontal Health
When women are on birth control, they often experience increased progesterone. As noted above, the higher levels of progesterone can lead to a number of periodontal health concerns.
Pregnancy and Periodontal Health
There are so many changes a woman's body goes through during pregnancy. In addition to issues with fatigue, food cravings, and obvious changes to the body, women will experience increased levels of progesterone by the third trimester. This leads to the periodontal health concerns previously noted.
Menopause and Periodontal Health
When women go through menopause, their hormones will undergo numerous changes. Both tooth decay and gum disease are more likely as a woman goes through this natural part of aging.
The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene
While there may be little you can do to change your hormone levels, people are able to do a lot when it comes to improving their overall dental health and oral hygiene practices. Consider brushing your teeth after every meal. This can have a major positive impact on your dental health. Flossing after every meal is also a crucial part about keeping your mouth fresh and clean and free from as much bacteria as possible.
Regular Dental Visits
Good oral hygiene at home isn't enough to completely eliminate the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. It's important that people see their dentist twice a year for regular checkups. Additional visits may be warranted--for example, before and after pregnancy--if you're concerned about your risk of gum disease and other health issues.
Learn More About Your Gum Health
For more information about periodontal disease, gum recession, and other dental health topics, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. Our team looks forward to your visit and discussing these matters in much greater detail.
