Hormones And Dental Care: Are They Related?

You might be surprised, but your birth control pills could be affecting your dental health. Anything, in fact, that affects your hormones can also affect your gum health. Read on to learn more. 

Hormones and Oral Conditions

It's not well known how hormone levels can interfere with oral health issues. However, it's been noted for years that pregnant women can suffer numerous dental issues while they are pregnant. It's presumed that hormones affect nearly every part of the body, and the mouth is no exception. If you take hormones for birth control or menopause issues, or you are pregnant, or you have anything else that affects your hormone levels, your dental health could be affected.

Understand the Effects

Progesterone and estrogen are particularly impactful to oral health. The gums can become irritated more easily and gum diseases can often occur even when the patient had no previous problems with them. The hormones can make the gums more sensitive and that may result in swelling and redness.

Bacteria levels in the mouth can also be affected by hormones. When bacteria levels rise, problems are sure to follow. Decay can become more likely and gum diseases like gingivitis can flare up. Bacteria tends to find a way inside of teeth and gums and that can set up the conditions for an abscess.

Clotting can be affected by using hormones. That issue can turn a small bleeding event into a dangerous condition. When tooth extraction is called for, it's important that the blood clot remains in place. However, hormonal issues could cause the clot to be slow to form. Unfortunately, those taking hormones might also experience what is known as a dry socket. That means the blood clot protecting the extraction site has disappeared. This calls for an emergency trip to the dentist.

What to Do

In most cases, stopping the use of hormones is not an option. Take these measures to help deal with the effects of hormones on your dental health:

1. Let your dentist know that you are taking hormones. Don't forget to include any dermal patches you are using as well.
2. Get more frequent dental exams and cleanings. Quick action can ward off infections and reduce their impact.
3. Consume a healthy diet and cut down on sweets and carbs. Drink water to help wash away impurities in your mouth.
4. If you smoke, know that smoking can create extra problems with your dental health when combined with hormonal issues. Speak to a medical doctor to find out more about that.

Speak to your dentist to learn more.