8th March, i.e., International Women’s Day is just around the corner, and the team of Canyon Dental decided to celebrate it uniquely. Here we have shared top tips on enhancing your oral health this women’s day so that you keep shining and keep smiling throughout the year. We have also mentioned how the oral health of a woman changes throughout her life cycle. This information will help you to be prepared for oral changes and avoid oral health issues.
Sounds interesting? Scroll down for more.
Oral Health and Puberty
The age of puberty in girls is from 8 to 14 years. It is the age when a girl goes through many development changes and needs to bear hormone activity. The excess of hormones in this age, especially estrogen and progesterone lead to an excess of blood flow to the gums. An excess of blood flow leads to red and swollen gums. Also, when a woman is going through puberty, she goes through a lot of microbial changes which make her vulnerable to destructive bacteria that can lead to problems like bad breath, cavities, plaque, and gingivitis. Bleeding during brushing or flossing is also common. If you or a family member is facing such problems, make sure you book an appointment at Canyon Dental this Women’s Day.
Oral Health and Menstruation
When a woman has a menstrual cycle, it also impacts her oral health. Swollen gums and bleeding are quite common while brushing or flossing, a few days before your menstrual cycle begins, usually a week. Many women also have dry mouth during the periods or have bad breath which is usually due to loss of saliva. Some women also have canker sores in the days leading up to the periods, and the reason for that is an increase in the mucosal lining of the oral cavity. When you experience these symptoms, you should rinse your mouth at least once every day with a non-alcoholic mouthwash recommended by a good dental clinic like Canyon Dental.
If you have oral problems during your periods, you should schedule a dental cleaning session a week after the periods. You should also know that high estrogen levels before and during the periods can influence the results of pocket depth (the measurement of your gum health). Also, dental cleaning sessions before or during the periods can be more painful than the usual.
Oral Health and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the most crucial time of a woman’s life because her body goes through many changes during a few months. Though there were times when women were asked not to visit a dentist during the 9 months, now women are allowed to go for a checkup between four to six months. Women can skip dental visits during the first three months of the pregnancy because the baby is very fragile at that time. Women also don’t prefer to take on the stress of a dental visit during the last three months of the pregnancy. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to gum disease so you should take appropriate precautions suggested by the doctor. Also, as sweet cravings during pregnancy are common, you shouldn’t ignore them. But make sure you reach for fresh fruits & vegetables and cheese instead of opting for ice cream or sodas that are very bad for your oral health recommend all dentists at Canyon Dental.
Oral Health and Menopause
When a woman goes through menopause, her estrogen levels reduce drastically, and it can lead to problems like periodontitis and bone loss. In menopause, women also become vulnerable to osteoporosis, a disease that can impact your jawbone and lead to brittle bones. One solution to this could be to opt for supplements to increase hormone levels. Women also take vitamin D and calcium supplements to avoid deficiencies.
Despite all the precautions, women often lose teeth in menopause. If you have lost the teeth too, you should opt for dental implants to get your smile back. It is always smart to consult with your dentist during menopause to prevent loss of teeth.
Oral Health Tips for Women
Some of the common oral health tips women should revisit on this Women’s Day are:
- Brush at least two times a day
- Floss twice or at least once every day
- Make use of a non-alcoholic mouthwash when needed
- Chew sugar-free gum or rinse your mouth after every meal
- Change your toothbrush and tongue cleaner at least four times a year
- Stay away from artificial sugars and refined sugar
- Do not consume tobacco and avoid alcohol as much as possible
- Never skip visits to a dental clinic
- Always abide by the instructions laid out by your dentist
If you need advice on a specific dental procedure or want to maintain or enhance your oral health, feel free to book an appointment at Canyon Dental this Women’s Day and smile with confidence!
