By
Dr. Linda Vidone, Dental Director of DentaQuest
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This Mother’s Day
appropriately marks the beginning of National
Women's Health Week, an observance
led by the Office on Women's Health at the US Department of Health and Human
Services, to encourage and empower women to make their health and wellness a
priority.
Many don’t realize that women have a higher risk of
oral health issues, such as gingivitis and dry mouth, than men, particularly
during periods of spiked hormone levels like menstruation, menopause, and
pregnancy. Here’s how each of these stages can affect a woman’s oral health:
1.
Menstruation: Gums can appear red and
swollen during menstruation, but this will typically cease after the cycle
ends. If the swelling and redness continues, it may be a sign of more
deeply-rooted oral health issues like gum disease so schedule a dental checkup
ASAP.
2.
Pregnancy: “Pregnancy
Gingivitis” can cause swelling and tenderness of the gums and is
not uncommon among expecting mothers. It’s incredibly important for pregnant
women to continue receiving dental checkups and take extra caution with their
oral hygiene, as bacteria that causes gingivitis can be passed along to the
baby and create issues
during pregnancy.
3.
Menopause: Women going through menopause
should take a look at any medications they are prescribed as a common side
effect is dry
mouth. Of course, dry mouth can occur at any age due to diabetes,
dehydration, and stress, among other medical conditions. If you have continuous
dry mouth, see your dentist- it’s important that saliva production is constant
so that bacteria doesn’t build up in the mouth.
National Women’s Health Week is a wonderful opportunity
to remind women that their health and wellness should be a high priority and
that there are many measures they can take to prevent oral health issues. Women
(and men and children) should always be sure to brush twice a day, floss once a
day, and visit the dentist for a biannual checkup.
So this Mother’s Day, why don’t you really make your mom smile by giving her
a new toothbrush?