DENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS for women can be a lot different than for men, and that even includes oral health!
90% of people diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are women.
It’s typically caused by bruxism (teeth grinding), but joint structure, stress, arthritis, vitamin deficiency, or hormones could also be responsible. Another condition women are more likely to be affected by than men is Sjörgen’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes dry mouth. In addition to making chewing and swallowing difficult, uncomfortable and interfering with the sense of taste. It also causes dry mouth which is dangerous to oral health.
Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause all come with major hormonal changes that can impact oral health. Gingivitis and gum inflammation are more common during puberty and pregnancy, making brushing and flossing even more important. It’s important to discuss menopause with Dr. Stephen Lavrisa as it is associated with dry mouth and bone loss in the jaw. These dental health concerns for women need to be a topic of discussion at your dental visits.
Eating disorders are twice as common
among teenage girls as teenage boys, and they are a two-pronged attack on oral health: malnutrition weakens the oral tissues and the immune system while acid erosion (in the case of bulimia) destroys tooth enamel. The good news for women is that they tend to be better than men at taking care of their teeth! As a women you are more likely to maintain good oral health habits. That means keeping up with regular dental exams. You are more likely to ask for the dentist’s help when they experience tooth pain (as opposed to trying to tough it out), so even if they are more susceptible to certain problems, the impact is reduced.
