Women and Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, which is more commonly called gum disease, is the condition that follows untreated gingivitis after plaque has spread from the teeth and into the gum line. The bacteria within plaque produce toxins that irritate the gums, thereby stimulating an inflammatory response where the bone and tissues supporting teeth are essentially broken down. The gums separate from teeth and form pockets that are very susceptible to infection. If this disease progresses further, these pockets can deepen, destroying more bone and tissue and possibly leading to teeth becoming loose or needing to be removed.

Gum disease is what every dental care professional fears their patients will get, and it’s a well founded upon reason. On average, three out of four adults are affected by gum disease during the course of their lives. However, it turns out there is a chance that women are more susceptible to this condition at particular life stages.

In fact, women who are prone to gum disease may discover that the issue gets worse because of hormonal changes, which can affect one’s blood supply to their gums and overstress their body's response to the irritation caused by the bacteria in plaque. For instance, some women might experience lesions, swollen gums or salivary glands, canker sores, or bleeding gums during menstruation. For this, a dentist can prescribe gum treatment, special cleanings, or even topical anesthetics to lessen any pain.

Another time women are more vulnerable to the symptoms of gum disease includes if they are taking oral contraceptives, which can produce inflamed gums. Female patients can let their dentist know if they are on birth control pills, and he or she can recommend antibiotics or similar medications to help reducing any side effects.

Pregnancy, specifically between the second to eighth month, is another instance of gum vulnerability for women because the raised hormone levels can lead to gingivitis. This would therefore cause puffy, tender, or red gums. For this case, a woman’s dentist might recommend more cleanings during the second trimester or the early third trimester to possibly prevent these problems.

Menopause, which brings out many physical changes for women, also brings out physical changes in the mouth. Some such changes include an altered sense of taste (peppery, sour, or salty), a burning feeling, sensitivity to cold and hot drinks and foods, and dry mouth due to reduced saliva flow, the last of which can be combatted with prescribed saliva substitutes.

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Are you avoiding trips to the dentist because of the high cost of treatments? Did you know you can use a New Hampshire discount dental plan to save as much as 20 percent off your bills? For more information, please click here.

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