Women Have Special Dental Care Needs

(Medical Tribune - July 9, 1999) - Just by being female, a woman has special oral care needs. One of the primary factors affecting a woman's oral health is the shifting hormone levels throughout their lives. Hormone fluctuations related to puberty, pregnancy, menopause and the use of oral contraceptives may cause a woman to be more susceptible to various types of gum disease.

Inflammation of the gums, bleeding gums and increased sensitivity of the gums and teeth are symptoms that may alert women to gingivitis and/or other oral diseases that indicate a need for them to seek professional help.

During puberty, changing hormone levels may cause changes in tiny blood vessels in the gums, making these areas more sensitive to irritation caused by the oral microorganisms that cause gingivitis.

Eating disorders, which cause women to deliberately vomit their food in a misguided attempt to lose weight, are a particular threat to the oral health of women in their teens and 20s. Self-induced vomiting repeatedly exposes teeth to gastric secretions that can cause damage to the teeth.

An increased level of gingivitis can occur during pregnancy due to a change in the body's hormone levels. To prevent these types of problems during pregnancy, women should be particularly careful about keeping their teeth clean and well maintained during pregnancy. A woman should continue regular dental visits throughout her pregnancy and the ideal time for any elective dental treatment that must be done during pregnancy is the second trimester.

Middle-aged women can have significant oral health problems. Women going through menopause may experience dryness or burning sensations in the mouth. Other oral health conditions during menopause may include bleeding gums and a decreased amount and density of the bones that make up the support for the oral cavity. Osteoporosis, a degenerative bone condition which occurs in one-third of all white women by the age of 60, can weaken the bones of the jaw. Severe bone loss may directly affect the part of the jaw that supports the teeth and contribute to the unnecessary loss of teeth. Postmenopausal women may also be more susceptible to systemic conditions that may effect various soft tissues within the oral cavity.

The best protection women have against oral health problems at any age is to maintain a regular home care program of brushing and flossing, have regular professional visits with her dentist, and be actively involved in monitoring and maintaining both general and oral health.

PREVIOUS

NEWS-LINKS MAIN PAGE

WEBSITE HOME

NEXT