Throughout a woman's life, hormonal changes affect tissue throughout the body.
Fluctuations in levels occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
At these times, the chance of periodontal disease may increase, requiring special care of your oral health.
Pregnancy Periodontal health should be part of your prenatal care.
Any infections during pregnancy, including periodontal infections, can place a baby's health at risk.
Research shows that pregnant women with active periodontal disease are more likely to have pre-term deliveries and low-birth weight babies.
Along with many other bodily changes, your gums and teeth are affected during pregnancy.
Between the second and eighth month, your gums may also swell, bleed, and become red or tender.
Large lumps may appear as a reaction to local irritants.
However, these growths are generally painless and not cancerous.
They may require professional removal, but usually disappear after pregnancy.
The best way to prevent periodontal infections is to begin with healthy gums and continue to maintain your oral health with proper home care and careful periodontal monitoring.
Oral Contraceptives Swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gums may also occur when you are taking oral contraceptives, which are synthetic hormones.
You should mention any prescriptions you are taking, including oral contraceptives, prior to medical or dental treatment.
This will help eliminate the risk of drug interactions, such as antibiotics with oral contraceptives - where the effectiveness of the contraceptive can be lessened.
Menopause Changes in the look and feel of your mouth may occur if you are menopausal or post-menopausal.
They include feeling pain and burning in your gum tissue and salty, peppery, or sour tastes.
Careful oral hygiene at home and professional cleaning may relieve these symptoms.
There are also saliva substitutes to treat the effects of "dry mouth.
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