Women, Do You Know Your Teeth?

Women attribute everything from irritability to bloating, and fatigue to emotional outbursts, to their hormones. Yet, while a woman is quick to blame her hormones for her (maybe slight) overreaction to dirty dishes in the sink when she gets home from work, chances of her ascribing her hormones to her oral health issues are pretty slim. More than that, they’re pretty much non-existent.

Many women don’t know that their hormones can cause a host of oral health issues, including swollen and bleeding gums, gingivitis, canker sores and cold sores. Knowing this can help explain a lot though, as hormone changes occur frequently throughout a woman’s life. Knowing how her body is expected to change at various stages of her life can help a woman—at any age—determine the best way to deal with particular oral health issues, as well as maybe even anticipate and prevent them.

Below is a list of a few key stages in a woman’s life, as well as the oral health issues that typically accompany them:

Puberty:

·     Gingivitis

·     Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums

·     Canker sores and cold sores may occur during each menstrual cycle

Pregnancy:

·     Gingivitis—if not treated, this condition can put both mother and baby at risk for infection

·     Dry mouth

Menopause:

·     Dry mouth

·     Altered taste perception

·     Pain

·     Burning sensations

A woman goes through a lot of changes throughout her life, and at Lakeshore Family Dentistry, we aim to make each one as easy and as comfortable as possible. To see what we can do for you, visit http://www.lakeshorefamilydentist.com/library/42/WomenandToothCare.html