Skip to content

Hormones in Women’s Oral Health: 4 Certain Hormonal Stages

Table of Contents

[ux_text text_color=”rgb(0,0,0)”]

Have you ever pondered the role of hormones, the subtle yet powerful conductors of our bodily functions, and their influence on something as precise as oral health? Hormones in women’s oral health reveal how the hormonal roller coaster experienced during different life stages can significantly impact oral well-being
 
 

Understanding Hormones

womens hormones
women’s hormones
    • The role of hormones: Hormones are biochemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands. They control and coordinate activities throughout the body, including growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction.
    • Hormones and Women’s Health: In women, fluctuations in hormone levels occur during different stages of life – puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Each phase poses unique impacts on overall health, including oral health.

Hormonal Stages in a Woman’s Life

hormones in women's oral health
Women Smiling
    1. Puberty: As girls hit puberty, the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone boost blood circulation to the gums, making them more susceptible to irritation and disease.
    2. Menstruation: Some women experience menstruation gingivitis, marked by swollen, bleeding gums a few days before their period due to the rise in the progesterone level.
    3. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate conditions like gingivitis (pregnancy gingivitis) and granulomas, commonly referred to as “pregnancy tumors”.
    4. Menopause: Declining estrogen levels during menopause may lead to dry mouth and bone loss, increasing the risk of oral health problems. 

How do Hormones in Women’s Oral Health affect?

    1. Hormones and gum health: Fluctuating hormones can make the gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and gingivitis. To learn more about the different kinds of gingivitis, you can check our separate guide about it
    2. Hormones and oral tissue: Hormonal changes may cause alterations in oral tissue, resulting in conditions like mouth ulcers and dry mouth. Curious as to what are the causes and treatments of canker sores, know more by clicking here
    3. Hormones and oral diseases: Increased hormonal levels can enhance the risk of oral diseases such as periodontitis, a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports the teeth.

Prevention and Oral Health Maintenance

    • Regular check-ups: Frequent dental check-ups enable early detection and treatment of potential oral health issues.
    • Oral hygiene practices: Maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash can help keep hormonal oral health issues at bay.
    • Balanced diet and nutrition: A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals strengthens the immune system and supports oral health.
 

[/ux_text]
[row label=”HIDE MOBILE” visibility=”hide-for-small”]

[col span=”4″]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

Regular check-ups
Regular check-ups

[/ux_text]

[/col]
[col span=”4″]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

Oral hygiene practices
Oral hygiene practices

[/ux_text]

[/col]
[col span=”4″]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

Balanced diet and nutrition
Balanced diet and nutrition

[/ux_text]

[/col]

[/row]
[row label=”ONLY MOBILE” v_align=”middle” h_align=”center” visibility=”show-for-small”]

[col span=”4″ span__sm=”12″ align=”center”]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

Regular check-ups
Regular check-ups

[/ux_text]

[/col]
[col span=”4″ span__sm=”12″ align=”center”]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

Oral hygiene practices
Oral hygiene practices

[/ux_text]

[/col]
[col span=”4″ span__sm=”12″ align=”center”]

[ux_text text_align__sm=”center”]

The Role of Hormones in Women's Oral Health Throughout Life Stages
Balanced diet and nutrition

[/ux_text]

[/col]

[/row]

Remember that the dentist is the right person to advise you on the habits you must maintain, so do not hesitate to visit your dentist’s office frequently.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about dental conditions or other topics, you can contact us at Channel Islands Family Dental as well as our page on Facebook. We look forward to your visit and we will make a timely diagnosis. Our dentists in  Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura, Newbury Parkand  Port Hueneme will be able to guide you toward the best treatment to take care of your health and give you back your best smile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Hormonal changes in women can influence oral health, increasing the vulnerability to gum diseases, dry mouth, and mouth ulcers.
Yes, hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate conditions like gingivitis and granulomas.
By maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine, getting regular dental check-ups, and eating a balanced diet.
Yes, declining estrogen levels during menopause can lead to dry mouth and bone loss, potentially impacting oral health.
It’s a condition where gums become swollen and bleed a few days before the period due to the increased progesterone level.

Bibliography

  1. Lukacs, J. R., & Largaespada, L. L. (2006). Explaining sex differences in dental caries prevalence: Saliva, hormones, and “life-history” etiologies. American Journal of Human Biology, 18(4), 540-555. DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20530
  2. Kalkwarf, K. L., & Kaldahl, W. B. (1996). Effect of oral contraceptive therapy on gingival inflammation in humans. Journal of Periodontology, 67(6), 545-550. DOI: 10.1902/jop.1996.67.6.545
  3. Mascarenhas, P., Gapski, R., Al‐Shammari, K., & Wang, H. L. (2003). Influence of sex hormones on the periodontium. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 30(8), 671-681. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-051X.2003.00034.x
  4. Soory, M. (2000). Hormonal factors in periodontal disease. Dental Update, 27(6), 380-385. DOI: 10.12968/denu.2000.27.8.380
  5. Kumar, P. S. (2013). Sex and the subgingival microbiome: Do female sex steroids affect periodontal bacteria? Periodontology 2000, 61(1), 103-124. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2011.00413.x
  6. Gürsoy, M., Pajukanta, R., Sorsa, T., & Könönen, E. (2013). Clinical changes in periodontium during pregnancy and post-partum. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 40(7), 665-673. DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.12101
  7. Furuichi, Y., Shimotsu, A., Ito, H., Namiki, H., Kanda, S., & Ida, H. (2012). Associations of periodontal damage and tooth loss with atherogenic factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Internal medicine, 51(8), 839-845. DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.6488
  8. Mariotti, A. (1994). Sex steroid hormones and cell dynamics in the periodontium. Critical reviews in oral biology & medicine, 5(1), 27-53. DOI: 10.1177/10454411940050010201
  9. Jepsen, S., Deschner, J., Braun, A., Schwarz, F., & Eberhard, J. (2011). The pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 38, 8-20. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01698.x
  10. Freudenheim, J. L., Genco, R. J., LaMonte, M. J., Millen, A. E., Hovey, K. M., Mai, X., Nwizu, N., Andrews, C. A., Wactawski-Wende, J. (2016). Periodontal disease and breast cancer: Prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 25(1), 43-50. DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0750

Our Latest Articles

Does Poor Oral Hygiene Increase Alzheimer’s Risk? What Ventura County Families Should Know
13Nov

Does Poor Oral Hygiene Increase Alzheimer’s Risk? What Ventura County…

Yes, recent research strongly suggests that poor oral hygiene, specifically severe gum disease, may raise the risk of Alzheimer’s. Bacteria from the mouth can travel to the brain, contributing to…

Why Are People Talking About Ozempic Teeth?
12Nov

Why Are People Talking About Ozempic Teeth?

“Ozempic teeth” refers to dental problems that some people experience while taking Ozempic. These problems include dry mouth, sensitive teeth, weak enamel, or bleeding gums. Ozempic may reduce saliva and…

How Can Military Families Protect Their Oral Health?
04Nov

How Can Military Families Protect Their Oral Health?

Military families face unique challenges – like frequent relocations, changing schedules, and high stress – that can impact oral health. Consistent dental care routines, stress management, and regular checkups help…

CI-Logo

Make a quick appointment!

BETTER LIFE THROUGH BETTER DENTISTRY

Skip to content