While gingivitis and periodontal disease don’t discriminate
and can affect either men or women, there are certain oral health concerns that
women are more prone to due to hormone levels. For instance, women may notice a
red color in their gums as well as other symptoms at various points throughout
their lives. According to the International
Journal of Dentistry
, changes in hormonal levels inherent during pregnancy,
puberty, menstruation, contraceptive use, and menopause can all affect women’s
dental and gum health.
Puberty
Along
with the other hardships puberty is known for, it turns out this stage of life can
result in red gums while also making the gums feel more sensitive. Per the
American Academy of Periodontology, increases in progesterone and even estrogen
that occur during puberty raise blood flow to one’s gums. This results in the
gums becoming much more sensitive to irritation and tender, especially if
plaque has been allowed to accumulate. For teenage girls going through puberty,
it’s wise to see a dentist frequently, brush twice per day, and floss daily in
order to keep plaque off the gums and teeth.
Pregnancy
Hormonal
fluctuations linked to pregnancy can increase a woman’s chances of developing
bleeding gums in addition to other early signs of gum disease. Blood flow also
increases during pregnancy, which can lead to tender, red gums. When these
signs start appearing, it’s possible women simply have to work harder to
maintain their home oral healthcare routine and see their dental professional
for a deep cleaning and an evaluation. If your issues progress far enough, a
dentist may have to prescribe antibiotics that are safe for expectant mothers in
order to clear any gum infections up.
Menstruation
While
some women experience changes during menstruation like bloating, others notice
differences in their gums, including tenderness and bleeding. Menstruation
gingivitis can be the result of increased estrogen levels in blood. Some women may
notice their gums starting to be more tender, red, and swollen several days prior
to their cycle. However, menstruation gingivitis should disappear when the woman's
monthly cycle starts.
Menopause
Women who
are going through menopause may also notice a little trouble in their gums,
with one problem unique in menopausal women being menopausal gingivostomatitis,
which is when the oral mucosa atrophies. This can result in dry or red gums and
bleeding, but hormonal therapy should be able to help ease discomfort and other
symptoms.
Contraceptives
For
women using hormonal types of birth control, progesterone, which can be found in
most hormonal contraceptives, may lead to increased inflammation within the
gums. According to a study published by the International
Journal of Dentistry
, longer contraceptive use makes it more likely that
women will see changes in their gums. It’s also worth noting there are
antibiotics used for clearing up gum disease that could negatively affect birth
control. Oftentimes, antibiotics make birth control, specifically the pill,
less efficient, so be sure to tell your dental professional what you’re taking
before starting on antibiotics.
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