DID YOU KNOW THAT WOMEN HAVE special challenges when it comes to their oral health? Hormonal cycles can affect the way women’s bodies react to bacteria and plaque inside their mouths. If you’re a woman—or if you’d like to pass this information along to a woman who could benefit from it—our team at Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri encourages you to learn more about these important women’s oral health facts.

Hormonal Cycles Can Affect Gums

Puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation cause increased progesterone and estrogen levels which can lead to increased gum sensitivity. There’s also a condition known as menstruation gingivitis, which can cause some women to experience increased bleeding and swollen gums right before menstruation. This condition is typically not serious and clears up quickly. Gingivitis during pregnancy can be more severe, and may even cause non-cancerous oral tumors. That’s another reason why it’s important for women’s oral health to keep their regular checkup appointments during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives also increase hormonal levels in women’s bodies which can cause increased sensitivity and vulnerability to gum disease. During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can also create oral health problems including dry mouth syndrome, which can significantly add to tooth decay risk damaging women’s oral health.

Other Women’s Oral Health Problems That Occur More Than In Men

Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). TMD causes strain on one’s jaw joint and potential damage to teeth, often as a result of clenching and/or teeth grinding.

HPV is becoming more common, and research is increasingly suggesting a link between HPV and oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings are important whether or not a woman has high risk factors.

As you know, women are much more susceptible to osteoporosis than men which can cause jaw bone loss and associated periodontal disease problems.

The Great News? Women Take Better Care Of Their Oral Health!

As you might expect, a helpful remedy in many instances is to simply maintain good oral health habits! Fortunately, women are better at this than men! A recent studyof over 800 young men and women shows:

• Women are more consistent when it comes to regular checkups
• Women exhibit better attitudes toward dentistry in general
• Women have better personal oral health habits

OK… Here’s Just A Fun Little Aside From “The View”
This isn’t dentistry specific, but it’s a fun little twist on our discussion. Enjoy!

Questions?
If you have any questions about your oral health or any of the special challenges we’ve talked about above, be sure to ask us! There are lots of easy ways to connect with us—and we promise to be very responsive! You can make a comment below, or even connect with us on our Facebook page.

YOU are a valued part of Stadium Dental Center. Thanks for being our patient!

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis

Gum disease affects many people in some form, but they often don’t know it because it’s usually fairly painless. Gingivitis and gum disease are two terms that you should understand, including their symptoms, how they impact oral health, and how to prevent them.

What does your dental team mean by “gingivitis”?

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. When your gums are healthy, they look pink and firm, and they aren’t swollen or puffy around the tooth. The germs that cause dental disease are always present in the mouth. When too much food and bacteria build up around the teeth and gums, plaque forms. Eventually, plaque can harden into tartar that irritates the gums. Toxins in plaque cause the gums to become swollen and red, to bleed easily, and to be more tender. Gingivitis is an early, mild form of gum disease but can be reversed with good home care combined with dental hygiene therapy.

What is gum disease?

When gingivitis is not reversed with effective brushing, flossing, and dental hygiene therapy, it can progress to cause inflammatory damage of the gums and bone called periodontitis. If you have periodontitis, your gums recede from your teeth and form pockets that harbor a variety of germs. Your immune system responds to the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line, but this can actually cause damage. Bacterial toxins and your body’s natural response to fight the infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.

Without treatment, the bones, gums, and fibers that support the teeth can be destroyed. Your teeth will eventually become loose and may need to be removed.

How does gum disease develop?

There are many risk factors associated with gum disease. They include:

• Smoking, one of the biggest risk factors associated with gum disease.
• Hormonal changes in girls/women, which can make gums more reactive to toxins that cause gingivitis
• Diabetes, which impairs our defenses against infections, including gum disease
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications which may reduce the protective effect of saliva flow  in the mouth
• Diseases, such as cancer or AIDS, and their treatments can sometimes have harmful effects on gum health
• Genetics, which makes some people more prone to severe gum disease by inherited traits

What can I do to prevent gum disease?

There are several things you can do to prevent both gingivitis and gum disease:

• Brush your teeth twice a day (with fluoride toothpaste)
• Floss your teeth every day
• Visit the dentist routinely for a checkup and dental hygiene therapy
• Don’t smoke and if you do smoke, quit!
• Make sure your diabetes is well-controlled
• Know the side effects of the medications you are taking

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Symptoms include bad breath that won’t go away even after chewing gum or eating mints; red or swollen gums; tender or bleeding gums; painful chewing; loose teeth; sensitive teeth; or receding gums or teeth that appear longer than others.

What is the treatment for gingivitis and gum disease?

We treat gingivitis by cleaning your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Scaling (cleaning) the tooth and root surface reduces the sources of infection in the gums. We also may prescribe special mouthwashes or medicines. For gum disease, we often recommend combined treatments like antibiotics, antimicrobial mouthwashes, deep scaling and root planing (cleaning and smoothing) of the root surface, or removing the infected gum tissue or teeth. Dr Cardon will talk to you about all of the treatment options available if you have gingivitis or gum disease. He may consider referring you to a gum specialist (periodontist) if advisable. You should always feel free to ask questions if you are concerned about your oral health.

Learn more at: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease