Preventing Oral Health Problems in Women -

Poor oral health can bring a number of problems in a woman’s life. It is important that you take great care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene will help you keep your teeth healthy and safe from several diseases and infections.

People who have bad oral health may also face other issues like:

Self-esteem issues
Poor performance in school because of being self-conscious
Difficulty finding a job
Oral discomfort
Malnutrition
Speech problems
Difficulty in swallowing

Neglected oral health can even be fatal for your health. An untreated infection can become a root cause of oral cancer.

This is why it is important that you take care of your oral health. There are some universal oral hygiene practices that everyone is encouraged to follow, like flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day. Regular visits to the dentists are also necessary. However, there are some groups of people who may be required to take special care of their teeth.

In this article, we will focus on tips that will help prevent oral health problems in women during various stages of their lives.

Teenage Years

During teenage years, young girls may face some dental issues that they had never faced before. When young girls start menstruating, they may be affected with swollen gums and mouth sores. This condition will not be permanent but can be painful.

Early Adulthood

When women reach childbearing age, they should pay special attention to their oral hygiene. If you suffer from periodontal disease during these years, the chances of preterm birth, accompanied by low birth weight, increase.

Pregnancy

A woman’s body goes through many changes during pregnancy. Hormones like progesterone can spike up and affect the normal balance of the body. This spike can result in conditions like granulomas – tumor-like growth on gums that are benign – and gingivitis. Some women also face issues like too much or too little saliva. Vomiting due to morning sickness can cause tooth decay as well. It is important to practice good oral hygiene during this time.

A lot of women think that it may be unsafe for them to receive dental treatments while they are pregnant. This is not true. As long as you tell your doctor that you are pregnant, you have no reason to skip dentist appointments.

Menopause and Postmenopausal

The chances of getting periodontal disease increase when women reach menopause. The reason behind this is because of estrogen deficiency. Some women also get the Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS.) Make an appointment with your dentist right away if you notice any change in taste perception or an unpleasant tingling sensation.