07 | 30 | 2007 Posted By Regan Zambri & Long

Oral Health Particularly Important For Women

Maintaining good oral health is important for everyone, but particularly for women. Women's dental health needs vary according to age and physical development.  According to the  Academy of General Dentistry,  women are more likely than men to suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ), myofascial pain, eating disorders, Sjogren's Syndrome (which causes dry mouth) and other disorders.  The basic protocol for good oral hygiene is the same for everyone:  brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and after each meal whenever possible, and floss thoroughly daily.  

The organization points out that the following oral health considerations apply specifically to women, however:

  • "Puberty considerations:  The surge in hormones that occurs during puberty may cause swollen gums, especially during menstruation. Mouth sores also can develop. Girls may experience sensitive gums that react more to irritants.
  • Family planning considerations:  Oral contraceptives mimic pregnancy because they contain progesterone or estrogen. Therefore gingivitis may occur with long-term use. Women who use birth control pills are twice as likely to develop dry socket (a complication of tooth extraction) and should consult their dentist before scheduling major dental procedures.
  • Pregnancy considerations:  Pregnant women have a risk for increased inflammation of the gums because of the surge in estrogen and progesterone. If irritating plaque isn't removed, it can cause gingivitis – red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. In some cases, large lumps called pregnancy tumors – inflammatory, non-cancerous growths that develop when swollen gums react strongly to irritants. Usually these tumors shrink soon after the pregnancy is over. Women with periodontal disease may be at risk for preterm, low–birth-weight babies. If a women experiences morning sickness, it is important to neutralize the acid caused by vomiting, which causes tooth erosion. Patients can use a paste made of baking soda and water, rubbing it on the teeth. After 30 seconds, rinse off the paste, then brush and floss. If this is not possible, rinse with water.
  • Menopause considerations:  During menopause, some women can experience dry mouth, a burning sensation and changes in taste. Gums can become sore and sensitive.
  • Additional considerations:  Diet pills and certain medications (over-the-counter and prescriptions) can decrease salivary flow, which puts patients at risk for cavities, gum disease and discomfort. Patients with eating disorders, such as bulimia (self-induced vomiting) can't hide their symptoms from their dentists because the episodes of binging and purging cause erosion on the backside of the upper front teeth. (An additional sign is sores that appear at the corners of the mouth.) Smoking also creates a higher risk for periodontal disease."
The National Women's Health Resource Center also notes that people with gum disease are at a significantly higher risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary heart disease later in life.  Consequently, women, who are already at a higher risk of heart disease, should be particularly mindful of their oral health.

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