Gum Disease in Women

Grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter
Caption: If present, periodontal disease can impact a women’s life in every stage.

How Gum Disease Develops and Affects Women

Gum disease usually develops due to plaque building up around your teeth and gums. With women, however, there are particular stages of your life that can particularly impact the health of your teeth and can result in the development of gum disease:

Puberty

Hormones begin to increase, therefore estrogen and progesterone levels rise. Gum sensitivity can increase due to the amount of blood that is circulating around the gums. This can cause your gums to become swollen. It can also cause plaque and food irritation and can be an extremely uncomfortable process. Similarly, as young women start to menstruate, and continue to do so throughout their lives, menstruation gingivitis can occur. This results in sores inside the cheek and swollen, bleeding gums. This is an uncommon condition, tending to affect women before and after the menstruation week.

Girls should learn to pay attention to their oral health and learn what is normal. This way, should anything unusual develop, they will recognize it early and take steps toward proper treatment.

Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, hormonal changes in her body increase the chance of contracting periodontal disease. Her body becomes more sensitive to toxins, including the bacteria that dwell in her mouth. This can cause her gums to become red and inflamed. How periodontitis directly affects the development of the baby or the pregnancy itself is still largely unknown. However, it is a condition that needs safe treatment.  If a woman already has gum disease, becoming pregnant may make it worse. Sometimes a large lump, or pregnancy tumor, will form on inflamed gum tissue, causing discomfort when eating and speaking. The lump glistens, has deep red pinpoint markings, may bleed, and crust over.

It is important to take care of every aspect of your health while expecting, so notice changes in your mouth as well as your body. The mother’s health is paramount to ensuring the baby thrives as he or she grows.

Menopause

When a woman is going through menopause or post-menopause, she is susceptible to gum disease. Menopausal gingivostomatitis or general discomfort of the mouth is possible. If you think that you are experiencing an issue with your gums and teeth, it’s important to visit the dentist for an examination and check-up.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Gum disease, which can develop into Periodontitis if not treated, can affect anyone. Many of the common signs of gum disease are:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Swollen gums
  • Receding teeth
  • Bad breath

If it isn’t treated quickly, it can result in receding gums, tooth loss, and damaged bone. To prevent gum disease, brush your teeth regularly and arrange regular dental check-ups. If you start to notice these symptoms, however, it’s important to contact Dental Partners of Boston for a consultation. We will discuss treatment options with you.

Treatments for Gum Disease

There are a number of treatments available to help with gum disease. The treatment best suited to your needs is determined by your dentist. These are examples of common treatments:

  • LANAP – One of the newest and less invasive treatments for gum disease. The procedure uses a laser to remove diseased tissue. LANAP is a regeneration procedure that has produced positive results in women of all ages. It promotes new bone growth and helps the gums to re-attach and heal.
  • Gum regeneration treatment – This form of treatment will regenerate missing or lost bone and any damaged tissue that’s occurred due to gum disease. This type of treatment can also be used for cosmetic reasons if you have receding gums.
  • Periodontal surgery – Depending on the extent of the gum disease, periodontal surgery will treat the gums that surround the bone and teeth.
  • Dental implants – As gum disease can result in loose or missing teeth, dental implants are a good treatment option in order to restore your oral health and the appearance of your smile.
  • Scaling & Root Planning – A deep cleaning procedure where Dr. Guzman will remove any build-up of plaque and bacteria, and ensure that any open pockets are cleaned so that your gums can reattach to your teeth.

If you have any concerns about the health of your gums, contact us today.

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