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“Many women don’t realize the connection between hormonal changes and their gum health,” says Nicola West, secretary common of the European Federation of Periodontology. “Throughout different stages of a woman’s life, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, hormone fluctuations can make gums more vulnerable to disease, making oral care ever more essential for overall health.”
Latest analysis exhibits that 84% of ladies over 50 didn’t know that menopause might have an effect on their oral well being; 70% of menopausal ladies reported not less than one new oral well being symptom (like dry mouth or delicate gums), but solely 2% had mentioned these points with their dentist.
Equally, youthful ladies may not join bleeding gums throughout being pregnant or puberty with their altering hormones—they might simply brush off just a little blood as regular. This lack of know-how means ladies usually do not get the assistance they want for his or her gums.
“In all stages, the key is listening to your body and your mouth—if you notice changes like bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, or mouth discomfort, take it seriously and consult a professional. View it as a sign to enhance your oral hygiene practices,” outlines West.
“The earlier it is treated, the better the outcome in the long term.”
The connection between ladies’s and periodontal well being is a two-way avenue—and prevention is one of the best technique to take care of general well-being. The mouth is one a part of the physique the place you’ll be able to straight intervene each single day to enhance your well being.
“Gum disease is often called a silent disease because it can progress painlessly, so many people are unaware they have a problem,” explains Tali Chackartchi, president-elect of the European Federation of Periodontology and Gum Well being Day co-ordinator for 2025.
“By caring for your gums, you are not just preventing dental issues but potentially reducing the risk of broader health problems. Emerging research even suggests a connection between gum disease and fertility.”
This is how totally different hormonal levels can affect gum irritation and well being:
Puberty: throughout adolescence, elevated estrogen and progesterone trigger larger blood movement to the gums. This heightened sensitivity can result in an exaggerated response to plaque, usually leading to purple, swollen or bleeding gums- generally often known as puberty gingivitis. As much as 70% of adolescent ladies expertise some type of gum irritation throughout this stage.
Menstrual cycle: simply earlier than a interval, some ladies could discover swollen gums, elevated bleeding and even canker sores (ulcers). Most ladies do not expertise main gum modifications with their month-to-month cycle, however those that do would possibly blame random probability, not realizing hormones are a set off. These signs (typically known as “menstrual gingivitis”) often subside as soon as the interval begins or ends, and protracted bleeding past this section might point out an underlying gum downside unrelated to hormones.
Being pregnant: Being pregnant triggers important hormonal shifts, resulting in elevated gum sensitivity. In actual fact, an estimated 60–75% of expectant moms develop “pregnancy gingivitis,” a light type of gum illness, by the second trimester. Because of elevated progesterone and estrogen, gums turn out to be extra vulnerable to swelling, redness, and tenderness, often between the second and eight months of being pregnant.
Menopause: the hormonal modifications of menopause—primarily the drop in estrogen—can result in oral well being points. Many menopausal ladies expertise dry mouth, which will increase the danger of cavities and gum illness, since saliva helps defend enamel. Gums may additionally recede or turn out to be extra delicate, and a few ladies really feel burning sensations within the mouth or modifications in style.
“Women should be proactive about their gum health by maintaining oral hygiene, brushing their teeth at least twice a day, flossing and use of interdental brushes and mouthwashes according to your dentists’ recommendations and scheduling regular dental check-ups to make sure you are properly monitored. After all, a healthy mouth is a key part of a healthy life,” says Chackartchi.
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Gum well being: A key indicator of ladies’s general well-being (2025, March 7)
retrieved 8 March 2025
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