Things change daily, probably more than once in a single 24-hour span. Our bodies do alter as we age, though more gradually. Your dentist wants you to be conscious that while men and women experience various phases and transitions throughout their lifetimes, women’s hormonal changes can impact both general and oral health.
What Makes Women’s Dental Health Concerns Different From Men’s?
Males and women go through almost the same stages of existence. Males mature just like everyone else, despite not going through puberty as women do. The stages of a woman’s existence can raise a range of oral health concerns:
- Puberty: A woman experiences her first major hormonal shift during puberty. Puberty can start as early as eight years old and usually happens when a girl is fourteen, though it varies from person to person. Many things alter during adolescence, including hormone amounts of progesterone, estrogen, and mood. Your teeth may be affected by those last two hormones. During puberty, adolescent women frequently have swollen or scarlet gums that can hemorrhage when brushing or flossing because estrogen and progesterone increase blood flow to the gums.
- Menstruation: Additional hormonal changes will continue after adolescence and even when most women are in their early to late teens. When a woman’s menstruation begins, she must consider how her gums feel. Women typically experience canker ulcers or sore lips during this period. Both should go away independently; if not, contact your dentist to arrange an appointment. During this period, hormonal shifts can result in dry mouth, raising the risk of cavities or foul smells.
- Pregnancy: Physiological changes can occur during pregnancy as a woman gets ready to have a child. Because it lowers the chance of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, dental treatment is crucial during pregnancy. Gingivitis is a mouth condition that affects a lot of pregnant moms. In reality, gingivitis is brought on by hormonal changes in about 50% of all pregnant women. While expecting, continue seeing your doctor as needed and maintain your oral hygiene routine.
- Menopause: Menopause is the final phase of significant endocrine changes in women. This time, hormone levels drop instead of rising. Women who suffer from hormone loss may have weakened mandible bones, osteoporosis, or smaller bones. The risk of tooth loss and the need for prostheses or dental implants to substitute missing teeth is increased by the jaw bone’s frailty.
Dental health conditions between males and women are remarkably comparable. For instance, they share the same structure, gingival tissue, and tooth count. However, boys and females have slightly different oral health due to biological and societal factors. While women are more likely to visit the dentist, males are more likely to acquire gum disease and oral cancer.
Let Dickey Dental Handle Your Oral Health Concerns
Being a woman is simpler than constantly scheduling dental visits. The Dickey Dentistry staff can help you with your concerns—call (803) 329-2126 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hugh Brad Dickey. To maintain excellent dental (and general) health, one must avoid sugary and starchy food and meals. This process is so that disease-causing microbes can thrive in the atmosphere that these foods provide.
