Women and Gum Disease Volume III*

The Teen-Age Years

 

As females reach puberty, the production of the sex hormones progesterone and estrogen increases. This hormonal increase can exaggerate the way dental tissues react to the irritants in plaque. Gums may become red, tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily when chewing or brushing teeth. After the early teen years, women may notice less inflammation and bleeding.

Reaching Menopause You may notice a number of physical changes when you reach menopause, including some that occur in the mouth. These may include a burning sensation, altered taste sensations (salty, peppery or sour), a decrease in saliva flow that can result in dry mouth, and greater sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks.

Talk with us if you experience any oral problems that you think might be related to menopause. Be sure to mention any medications you are taking (both prescription and over-the-counter products), because many drugs can have dental-related side-effects, including dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase your risk for tooth decay, halitosis (bad breath) and mouth sores. Saliva substitutes may be prescribed to reduce any mouth dryness. Vitamin C and B complexes may be helpful, as well. For good overall health, eat a balanced diet and discuss with your physician how to get the calcium you need to prevent osteoporosis (“porous bones”), the risk of which increases after menopause.

Remember that it is plaque not fluctuating hormone levels, that is the major cause of periodontal disease. Here are ways you can help prevent periodontal disease: Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner.  If you need extra help in controlling plaque and gingivitis, we may recommend antimicrobial mouthrinse. Regular dental visits and professional cleanings are essential. Plaque that is not removed can harden into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning at our office or any other dental office. 

Eat a balanced diet for good general health and limit snacks.

*From American Dental Association 

 

Mouth Irritation-Take Action to Manage

There are many different types of mouth irritations.
Canker sores occur only inside the mouth, on the tongue and inside linings of the cheeks, throats and lips. They are not contagious. These sores are usually larger than fever blisters and do not heal quickly. This condition is not well understood. They do not appear to be caused by bacteria or viruses. Research suggests that they may grow from a fault in one’s body’s immune system or from nutritional deficiencies, emotional stress and mouth injury can trigger outbreaks. 
Fever Blisters, also called cold sores, are small sores that usually occur outside the mouth on the lip, chin or cheek. When blisters appear in side the mouth, they usually are found on the gums or the roof of the mouth. Unlike canker sores, the blisters are caused by a virus, herpes simplex. This virus is highly contagious unlike canker sores when the blisters are present. The blisters may disappear but the virus remains in the body. This explains why some people may have recurrent cold sores. Many things can trigger reoccurrence including, fever, stress, illness, injury and exposure to sunlight. There is no known cure for fever blisters. There are medications to help reduce the pain from the outbreak of any of these two. Ask your dentist, or e-mail us at dentallwellness@juno.com

Are You at Risk for Gum Disease?

Gum disease is painless. It affects 87% of the population, and often victims are unaware.

There are early warning signs, and the American Dental Association and your dentist want you to be aware of them: 

• Do your gums bleed when you brush your mouth or toothpick between them?
• Are your gums red, swollen, or tender?
• Are your gums pulling away from your teeth?
• Do you see pus between your teeth and your gums when the gums are pressed? 
• Are your permanent teeth loose or separating?
• Is there any change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth (bite)?
• Is there any change in the fit of your partial denture?
• Do you have bad breath?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may want to bring it to the attention of your dentist or dental hygienist.