Women experience many hormonal changes throughout their lives, which can greatly affect different aspects of their health. Even their oral health can be affected due to the hormonal changes and age. Here are some things that women of ages 20-45 years must know about dental health.

1. Effects of Pregnancy

Pregnant women are more prone to inflamed gums due to the increased hormone levels. This causes increased gum sensitivity and results in exaggerated response to dental plaque. Moreover, the hormonal changes cause pain in the third molars. Tell your dentist when you are pregnant as they can determine if it is better to remove the molars before pregnancy. Even if you take oral contraceptives, you may be at increased risk for gingivitis if dental plaque is not removed on daily basis. Some studies appear to indicate that women with periodontal disease may be at increased risk for preterm, low birth weight babies.

Remember to brush and floss your teeth regularly. In case the inflammation of gums increase, see your orthodontist immediately. Visit your dentist at least once during the pregnancy.

2. Cavities

Cavities can be caused due to a number of reasons and mainly occur due to poor oral care. A few reasons why women are more prone to cavities are based on culture-driven factors such as cooking duties and the constant nibbling that can go along with that. Some women may even produce less saliva during pregnancy, which means there is no solid protection against bacteria that produce acid byproducts that eat away at teeth. Dietary cravings caused due to hormonal changes in the body may also play a role. Hormonal changes in women, especially during pregnancy, makes women crave for high-energy and sweet foods, thus risking their teeth to more cavities.

Maintain good dental health to prevent cavities. Brush and floss regularly and it is recommended that you rinse the mouth every time you eat something sweet or sugary. Avoid soft drinks as well. If you suspect to have cavities, visit the dentist to get them filled to avoid further damage to the tooth.

3. Sensitivity

Sensitivity is another dental problem that a lot of women suffer from. They experience sharp bouts of pain while consuming cold drinks or food. It is usually a result of the exposure of the root surface at the gum margin due to gingival recession, gum disease or over-vigorous toothbrushing with a hard toothbrush. It can also occur due to a cracked filling.

If you have sensitive teeth, brush your teeth using a toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth. If it persists, go to a dentist immediately.

4. Care for Braces

If you have braces for teeth straightening, you need to take good care of them as part of your dental hygiene routine. It is very common for food particles to get stuck within the braces, which is why you need to rinse your mouth every time you eat so that the stuck particles get washed out. If they remain stuck for a long time, they may damage the dental braces as well as your teeth. Floss regularly, not just between the teeth but also under the wires. You can use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to make it easier.

Avoid sugary and starchy foods can cause plaque to build up around the brackets. Stay away from sticky and chewy food like caramel or dried fruits, and hard foods like beef jerky or nuts as they can break the brace wires.

5. Visit the Dentist Regularly

Regular dental visits are a must, especially if you are a woman aged 20-45 years. Hormonal changes can cause cavities or gingivitis swelling, which can be detected in the early stages during the dental visit.

Everyone must care for their dental health, regardless of the gender, especially after the age of 30. Make brushing and flossing a habit and don’t disregard any orthodontic treatment if you need it.

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