HORMONE AND DENTAL HEALTH | WHAT EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW

 Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body.They regulate everything like growth,mood, reproduction and metabolism. But when it comes to female hormones, there’s a dental health correlation that might surprise us. And it’s something every woman should be aware of.

        During puberty, hormones are very active and can cause a teenage girl’s gums to become reddish, swollen, and bleeding. Most women fail to notice that their gums are more red and swollen days before or at the onset of menstrual period. Using birth control pills with high dosage of female hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – then it can also cause overreaction of gums to plaque .

        During pregnancy, women’s body is in hormonal hyperactive state. Some women develop Pregnancy Gingivitis, a mild type of gum disease that causes gums to appear red, tender, and sore. During menopause, there’s hormonal imbalance that may result to altered taste, burning sensations in your mouth, and increased sensitivity.

         Cumulative evidence in the dental literature strongly supports the fact that hormonal change, poor oral hygiene practices and inadequate attention toward oral health during various phase of a women have an impact on dental health. Majority are not aware that gum diseases are common during pregnancy.

       Most are not aware of safe period for undergoing dental treatment during pregnancy. Only few are aware that exposure to high dose of radiation was hazardous to their babies. And less than that, did not brush when they experienced bleeding, where as some cleaned their teeth using finger.

        The long and the short of it all is that women face a number of dental health challenges throughout their lives tied directly to their hormones. This is important to identify these risks for safeguarding against dental problems like gum disease or tooth loss. Assessing the knowledge about women hormonal changes and practices among women, could be a valuable tool for policy makers. To improve the oral health, to assess knowledge and practices of growing woman regarding their Hormonal changes and Dental health.

Author:
 Rtr. Dr. Manisha Rokaya
Dentist
President RAC Panauti (2020/21)