Creative Commons image by
Jacob Bøtter

As a woman, you might have a lot of things blamed on hormones. While some of it is simply untrue, hormones can actually affect your dental care. Read on to find out how ovulation, your menstrual period, hormonal birth control, and pregnancy can take its toll on your oral health, as well as some suggestions on dealing with these issues, which half of the population must contend with.

The Menstrual Cycle and Your Gums

When a girl begins to go through puberty, the peaks in estrogen and progesterone can cause some gum swelling. Some girls get their first cavities around the age of 11 or 12, and one reason might be because they’re experiencing gum swelling that doesn’t often occur in younger children. If you have a daughter about to go through puberty, be sure that she is brushing and flossing well to keep potential problems at bay.

Throughout a woman’s childbearing years, she might notice that her gums are more sore and might bleed a bit after ovulation and in the days leading up to her menstrual period. While it’s not very common, this condition is called menstruation gingivitis, and it can include the development of canker sores and some swelling in the mouth near the salivary glands and the gums. This is annoying and can be uncomfortable, but as long as you’re brushing and flossing, it’s not a problem. If the irritation persists past the first few days of your period, something else might be going on, and you should see your dentist.

Hormonal Birth Control

Most of the time, being on hormonal birth control should not affect your oral health. You should not experience menstruation gingivitis, because your hormone levels are kept more stable. That’s the good news. If you need to have dental work that requires an antibiotic, however, be sure to let your dentist know that you’re on birth control. This is because some antibiotics can make birth control less effective. Your dentist can prescribe something that will not affect the hormones, or he or she will let you know to use a backup method for the rest of the current cycle. One other issue with hormonal birth control is that the can make you more susceptible to developing a dry socket, which is a painful complication of tooth extraction. Talk to your dentist about any medications that you are on before oral surgery.

Pregnancy

Morning sickness early in pregnancy can do a number on your oral health. You might be vomiting, which is tough on your teeth, and you might not be brushing as well due to a highly sensitive gag reflex. Talk to your dentist if you are having a hard time keeping up with your oral hygiene due to these issues. As your progress through your pregnancy, it’s possible to develop swollen, red gums. You might also be more likely to develop a cavity. Dental cleanings and most minor treatments (such as simple fillings) are safe during pregnancy. Just let your dentist know you’re pregnant so he or she can use the appropriate local anesthetic and avoid unnecessary x-rays.

No matter what part of life you are in, your dentist can help you navigate the problems caused by hormones. Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns about how hormones are impacting your dental health.