5 Ways Women's Hormones Affect Oral Health

Ahhh, hormones. Every woman knows the changes they can create at different times of the month and different times of life — from weight gain and mood swings to, surprisingly, dental issues.¹ Specifically, a change in hormones can increase blood flow to your gums and also make your body more sensitive to bacteria and toxins that result from plaque build-up, leaving them bleeding, red, swollen and irritated — and at higher risk for gum disease.²

The good news is that hormone-related gum issues can be addressed before they affect your long-term oral health. The insights below can help you understand the impact of hormones on your oral health and help you adjust your oral care routine for a healthy, happy smile for life!

1. Puberty and Gum Health

At puberty, females experience many hormonal changes, specifically an increase of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes can cause a woman to experience swollen gums or for her gum tissue to become red and inflamed. It can make her more susceptible to canker sores.²

Oral Health Tip: Focus on good oral hygiene to prevent plaque and bacteria — reducing inflammation, bleeding, and discomfort by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and getting regular cleanings at the dentist.²

2. Your Period and Painful Gums

Due to hormonal changes before or during your period, you may experience bleeding gums, canker sores or even swollen salivary glands.² "Menstruation gingivitis" may occur a day or two before your menstrual cycle starts and typically clears up shortly after your period ends.² It's important to take gingivitis seriously, as it's an early form of gum disease and can lead to tooth loss.³

Oral Health Tip: Schedule your dental cleanings for about a week after your period ends to avoid added gum discomfort.¹

3. Oral Contraceptives and Dental Care

Certain oral contraceptives (birth control) that contain progesterone might inflame gum tissue, but this usually calms down after the first few months. That being said, most birth control pills have lower concentrations of hormones, which lessens your body's inflammatory response.²

Oral Health Tip: You should always tell your dentist if you are taking oral contraceptives because certain antibiotics that your dentist might prescribe can lower the effectiveness of this type of birth control.²

4. Pregnancy and Oral Health

Women's hormones, like estrogen, are at their peak during pregnancy — especially the hormone progesterone, which can increase your susceptibility to gum issues. In fact, 60% to 75% of pregnant women get "pregnancy gingivitis," causing the gums to become red, swollen, tender and bleed easily.⁴ This will most likely occur between your second to eighth month.² Pregnant women are also at a higher risk for cavities due to a change in eating behaviors.⁴

Oral Health Tip: Visiting your dentist during your pregnancy is not only OK, but encouraged. Some doctors even recommend more frequent cleanings in your second and third trimesters to help reduce the potential for bacteria build-up and/or gingivitis.²

5. Menopause and Dry Mouth

Changing levels of female hormones during menopause and medicines that adults take as they age can cause burning sensations in your mouth, increased sensitivity to the temperature of food and drink and decreased saliva. Less saliva can result in dry mouth and lead to a greater risk of tooth decay, since there's less saliva to neutralize the acids that plaque produces. Another factor for women's health during menopause is bone loss or osteoporosis, including the bones in your jaw which can lead to tooth loss.²

Oral Health Tip: Work with your dentist to make sure your dental care during menopause protects your oral health. Hormone therapy may help prevent bone loss and preserve dental health in menopausal women.²

CareCredit Financing for Women’s Oral Health

A good oral care routine, sound nutrition that includes a tooth-friendly diet and regular visits to your dentist can help your gums and teeth stay healthy and pain-free through all of life's hormonal swings. And your CareCredit credit card can help you manage the costs of dental care and oral health products at provider and retail locations in the CareCredit network nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you that accepts the CareCredit card.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women’s Health Online, Headspace, and more.