Why is Oral Health Important for Women

Answering the question of why oral health important to women is complex because of the different stages of life a woman experiences. Although both women and men experience a surge in their sex hormones during puberty, a woman’s health demands increase during this stage of life through menstruation. Later in life these demands can further increase due to childbearing, nursing and menopause.

These physical changes make it even more important for women to keep a close eye on their nutrition because it can directly impact the health of their teeth. Many women lose teeth after having a child because of a calcium deficient diet during their pregnancy. In addition the stress of childbirth and childrearing make women more susceptible to TMJ, gum disease and eating disorders.To help avoid problems, it is very important for women to see their dentist during the periods when their hormone levels are changing. Young girls during puberty may experience swollen gums due to the surge in hormones that can occur especially during menstruation. Mouth sores also can develop. Adult women who take oral contraceptives should consult their dentist before any major procedure. The ingredients in oral contraceptives can make a woman susceptible to gingivitis and developing complications during a tooth extraction (dry socket). During pregnancy women experience a surge in estrogen and progesterone which increases their risk for painful inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Women with periodontal disease are also at a higher risk for delivering their babies prematurely with low birth weight. Irritating plaque should be removed promptly to reduce the risk of “pregnancy tumors” these are non-cancerous growths that develop when swollen gums are irritated. Even though these lumps usually disappear after pregnancy, they should be taken seriously. If they develop a dentist should be consulted for treatment immediately.