Puberty
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Seeking a Healthy Pregnancy
Puberty
When a young woman enters puberty, the production of sex hormones such as progesterone and estrogen increase. Studies show that these elevated hormone levels may cause an increase in gum sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation, including food particles and plaque. During this time, the gums can become swollen, turn red, and may feel tender.
Menstruation
During menstruation, some women may experience menstruation gingivitis. This condition presents itself during ovulation or pre menstruation and may cause gingival (gum) bleeding, redness or swelling of the gums between the teeth, sores on the inside of the lip and cheek, a slight burning sensation or gum discomfort. Menstruation gingivitis typically occurs right before a woman’s period and clears up once her period has started.
These conditions and symptoms tend to lessen as the amount of sex hormones decrease. It is important to maintain oral health during these hormonal fluctuations including at-home oral hygiene and regular professional dental care, so that the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth are not damaged. In some cases, periodontal treatment and antimicrobial agents (including antibiotics) may be recommended to ensure that your periodontal health is at its best.
Pregnancy
There used to be an old wives’ tale that said, “A tooth is lost for every child.” While it may seem far-fetched, it actually is based loosely on fact. Your teeth and gums are affected by pregnancy as are other tissues in your body. Most commonly, women can experience increased gingivitis, or pregnancy gingivitis, beginning in the second or third month and it can increase in severity through the eighth month. During this time, some women notice swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue. In some cases, gums swollen by pregnancy gingivitis can react strongly to local irritants and form a large lump. These growths, called pregnancy tumors or pyogenic granulomas, are not cancerous and are generally painless. They usually disappear after pregnancy, but may require professional removal by a dentist or periodontist.
Seeking a Healthy Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you need to know that your periodontal health can affect the pregnancy and ultimately the health of your baby. Studies have shown that any infection, including periodontal infection during pregnancy, may put you at significant risk for delivering a preterm, low birth weight baby. In fact, studies have shown that periodontal inflammation may play a role in developing preeclampsia, a potentially deadly condition that affects approximately 5% of U.S. pregnancies. The risk is too great for you to take a chance, so include periodontal health as part of prenatal care.