Hormones are important players throughout the body, including the mouth. The Cleveland Clinic reminds us that women are more susceptible than men to hormonal changes affecting the condition of teeth, gums, and the entire mouth, at five specific moments in their lives.
Puberty brings a surge in estrogen and progesterone, which can cause redness and tenderness in the gums. During the monthly menstrual cycle, increased progesterone can mean similar redness and tenderness — as well as swollen salivary glands and even canker sores – for a day or two before and the first few days of the period. Inflammation in gum tissue may also accompany the use of birth control pills, which contain synthetic estrogens that may depress natural production of estrogen. That condition may lead to changes in the bones that can cause disorders in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Pregnancy triggers hormonal changes that include a jump in progesterone, potentially increasing susceptibility to gum inflammation, particularly during the second through the eighth months. And the decline in estrogen that occurs in menopause can lead to receding gums, loss of teeth, and bone loss in the jaw that exposes more tooth surface to possible decay. This may be avoided by treatment with synthetic estrogen.
For men as well as women, it’s important to keep your dentist informed about use of any and all medications, including over-the-counter treatments.