March 8th is International Women’s Day. So Let’s talk about women’s oral health.
Fact: Women are more proactive than men in taking care of their oral health, yet they have higher incident of periodontal disease. Why is that? Periodontal condition is directly influenced by reproductive hormones. In other words, for a woman’s body to favor reproduction, her immune system becomes less proficient at fighting harmful bacteria in the mouth. So it’s fair to say the main differentiation between men and women’s oral health is women’s baby-making hormones.
Here is a rundown of the different stages of women’s reproductive life, their impact on oral health and what can be done about it:
Puberty (~8-14) is when girls are first exposed to estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen’s basic reactionary end-game is inflammation; hence gum bleeding and sensitivity starts showing up around puberty and in response to plaque.
Adulthood(~15-50) is when, in additional to hormonal fluctuations, adult responsibilities kick in. Adding pregnancy to the mix makes women prime for periodontal disease.The combination of hormonal fluctuations around period, pregnancy and lactation cause gum inflammation and increased sensitivity to plaque. This is notably one of the most crucial times/stages in terms of women’s health because moms share their microbiome with their babies in more ways than one.
Menopause(~51+) is when estrogen levels drop and bodily fluids like salivary flow decrease. Not only that, women’s risk of Osteoporosis increases, which can cause an added risk of bone and therefore tooth loss. This combination primes post-menopausal women prime for having oral health issue.
So enough already! What’s one to do?!
Non-negotiable pillars of healthy mouth for women:
1. Meticulous oral hygiene to decrease the prevalence of bad bacterial which thrive in plaque ridden environments.
2. Good Nutrition to boost body’s ability to heal and repair
3. Avoidance of Sugary and acidic foods as much as possible or; if you do cheat -which we all do- follow it with an antidote like a re-mineralizing powder or rinse.
4. Ensure you have adequate Calcium and Vitamin D in your diet to strengthen teeth and bones.
5. Avoid dental visits the week before menstruation to minimize sensitivity due to gingivitis. Schedule a dental check-up during the second trimester of pregnancy.
