Dr Francine Chia of SMILEFOCUS reveals how fluctuating hormones can play havoc with your dental health.

A woman experiences hormonal changes at various stages throughout her life. Fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause and post-menopause can cause swelling and changes to the gums – subsequently increasing the risk of tooth and gum diseases. Be vigilant with your oral hygiene, especially during the following stages of your life:

Pregnancy The nausea and vomiting often experienced during pregnancy causes acid from the stomach to enter the mouth, promoting tooth decay. It’s important you don’t brush with toothpaste straight after vomiting, as this removes the natural alkaline – potentially increasing damage to the enamel from the acid. Instead, use a fluoride mouth rinse to neutralise the acid.
          If morning sickness makes cleaning your teeth “impossible”, try using a child-sized toothbrush and avoid frothy toothpastes as they contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS), which causes and worsens mouth ulcers by drying out the protective mucous lining in the mouth. Most importantly, don’t stop your normal dental routine, as the long-term effects can be quite nasty. Tender gums are aggravated by hormone changes and are more likely to harbour bacteria, causing plaque to form, which further damages the gums and causes gingivitis. This predisposes you to infection and inflammation of the tissues around the teeth, also known as periodontitis, which can damage the bones supporting the teeth. A recent study suggested periodontal infection increases the likelihood of a premature birth or infants with low birth weights, which may in turn increase your child’s risk of health problems and disabilities in the future.

Menopause The gradual decline in female hormone levels during menopause can create oral problems such as burning sensations in the mouth, dry mouth or a bad taste. Gums may also become sore and sensitive. Close attention to oral hygiene is imperative, as you’ll be more prone to tooth decay. Regular brushing, flossing and a professional scale and clean by your dentist is recommended. Chewing sugarless gum may help in the case of a dry mouth and can also eradicate unpleasant tastes.
Osteoporosis is common post-menopause, so ensure you have sufficient calcium, vitamin D and magnesium in your diet to maintain a healthy jaw bone to support your teeth.

          Birth control pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can also affect oral hygiene, so do pay close attention to your oral health daily and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.

Dr Francine Chia
B.D.S. (Adelaide)