You know that, as a woman, your body has certain peculiarities that distinguish it. You also know that the care of your mouth is important for your health.
In some periods of her life, women go through stages such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause that require some additional care in their oral health.
These particular moments are associated with hormonal changes that affect different areas of the body.
The gum tissue is extremely sensitive to hormonal changes and can therefore favor situations that even lead to the loss of teeth.
What is gum disease?
Known as periodontal disease or vulgarly “pyorrhea”, it is a chronic infection caused by bacteria from the dental plaque, a transparent and sticky film that sticks constantly around the teeth.
Periodontal disease affects the structures that hold the teeth to the mouth.
At first it appears that gingivitis does not receive treatment, in one of every two women it will become a periodontitis with extension to the bone that surrounds the tooth, which is irreversibly destroyed.
In the end the teeth get lost.
The symptoms of gingivitis are redness and bleeding of the gum, spontaneously or with brushing.
Sometimes these symptoms can go unnoticed, especially in smokers
Without effective oral hygiene, including brushing and cleaning between the teeth with silk or interdental brushes and regular visits to the dentist, you run the risk of getting gum disease.
It is important to bear in mind that a woman’s hormonal changes can accelerate or trigger a problem of this type.
Here are some recommendations on situations that may arise during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Puberty
During puberty, the increase in female hormone levels produces an increase in blood circulation of the gum.
Therefore, it tends to swell and may have a greater tendency to bleed.
As a young woman matures in her development, the tendency to bleeding diminishes but if an adequate prevention was not carried out, the gum can remain permanently damaged.
The best way to prevent this situation is the daily care of the teeth and the regular visit to your dentist or periodontics to perform periodontal preventive measures and early diagnosis in the event of more serious problems.
Pregnancy
The gums also undergoes changes during pregnancy. Frequently, pregnant women suffer more gingivitis from the second or third month. This disease is characterized by inflammation, bleeding and redness of the gum caused by the accumulation of plaque. In this case there is also a risk that the bone and other tissues surrounding the teeth will be permanently damaged if no treatment is performed.
Patients in periodontal treatment should take care of maintenance during pregnancy because often the condition of the gums worsens during it, now more than ever it is very important to visit your dentist or periodontics.
Research studies have shown that periodontal disease in pregnant women can be a risk factor for the birth of immature children. Maintaining good periodontal health is the mother’s first bet to have a healthy child.
If you are taking oral contraceptives, the “pill”, you may be susceptible to the same disorders that affect pregnant women.
Menopause
The most important affectation that could appear in your mouth at this stage of your life would be the sensation of dryness and irritation.
If you are using estrogen supplementation patches, they will hardly affect your mouth, however, taking progesterone supplement can increase the irritability of the gum and the tendency to swelling, bleeding and redness.
Sometimes, after menopause, a certain degree of osteoporosis appears.
Recently osteoporosis has been linked to a greater tendency to suffer periodontal disease, so in these cases, the care of the gum health should be a priority in the affected woman.