This week is Women’s Health Week and the theme of the nation-wide event is ‘Say Yes to You’.

Did you know there are specific challenges that are unique to women when it comes to Oral Health? Some of these are hormonal. This year we are sharing some tips on how to ‘Say Yes to You’ through the ebbs and flows of hormonal changes in our lives to maintain oral health.

Puberty

As hormone levels rise during puberty, some girls may notice increased gum sensitivity, swelling, or bleeding—especially during brushing or flossing. This is known as puberty gingivitis, and it can be more pronounced if oral hygiene habits aren’t yet consistent. Some of the challenges we see around this time are that daily routines are disturbed, and late bedtimes and wake-ups for many teens can make oral hygiene habits get forgotten.

Our number one tip to ‘Say Yes to You’ during this period is to prioritise your own health before jumping on social media or going out and about first thing in the morning. Have you done what you need to do to look after your personal health before you let the world intrude on your day? This might include hydration, a good breakfast and of course, cleaning the teeth with products that help to motivate you to care for your teeth. We are seeing more electric toothbrushes, flavoured fluoride toothpaste and interproximal care products (such as water flossers) that make this easier and more appealing. Setting up these self-care routines during this phase (with a reminder on your phone if that helps) can make a significant impact on long-term oral health.

Menstruation

In the days leading up to a menstrual period, some women may experience symptoms like tender or swollen gums, mouth sores, or bleeding. These changes are usually temporary and resolve with the end of the cycle, but they can be frustrating and may increase the risk of plaque-related issues if not managed.

Our top tip to ‘Say Yes to You’ during menstruation is to make sure you have nice, gentle oral care products that can keep you pain-free. This may include things like a soft electric toothbrush, interdental brushes with soft fibres, a floss that glides between the teeth rather than ramming into your gums, water-flossers and sensitive toothpaste, and a mouth rinse that you like the taste of. Your dentist will be able to help you select some items so that you can keep up with daily hygiene comfortably throughout the month.

Oral Contraceptives

Hormonal birth control—particularly those containing estrogen and/or progesterone—can sometimes cause similar effects on gum tissue as natural hormonal shifts. This means an increased inflammatory response to plaque, potentially leading to gum tenderness or bleeding.

Our top tip to ‘Say Yes to You’ is to take notice if your oral contraceptive is causing changes to your mouth or gums and seek further information. There are now a lot of oral contraceptive options, and it is sometimes possible to change approaches if the one you are currently using is causing unwanted side effects. This is usually a collaboration between the dentist and your GP, so if you’re concerned your oral contraceptive may be related to changes you are noticing in your mouth, let your dentist or GP know so this can be investigated further.

During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most hormonally active periods of a woman’s life, and the gums often respond with increased sensitivity. Many women experience pregnancy gingivitis, marked by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. In some cases, non-cancerous growths known as “pregnancy tumours” may develop on the gums, though they often go away after birth.

The best way to ‘Say Yes to You’ during pregnancy is to make sure you are not only keeping your home hygiene up with products that make you feel good (including some different flavoured toothpaste if mint is making you nauseous), but also attending to professional cleaning. It is safe to have professional cleaning done during pregnancy, and sometimes easier to do this at this time rather than the busy period immediately after a baby is born.

Did you know that babies receive their oral bacteria from their Mother? This means that by maintaining your home care and professional care during and beyond pregnancy, you are more likely to be setting your child up for a positive dental future.

Menopause

The drop in estrogen levels during menopause can lead to a number of oral health concerns, including dry mouth, burning sensations, altered taste, and even bone loss in the jaw, which can affect tooth stability. This is a super-important time to ‘Say Yes to You’ when it comes to your oral health. We are seeing a growing trend among women going through menopause that they are often also part of the ‘sandwich generation’ and caring for children, grandchildren and parents as well.

It is important that, among these competing demands, the regular dental visits stay on track because some of the changes we see in menopause may not be obvious at first, and in many cases, negative events during this period can be easily managed with enhanced prevention. It is sometimes the choices made in this phase that will determine whether people will maintain their own teeth long term, so super important that you ‘Say Yes to You’ by keeping on track with regular professional care even though you are perhaps busier than ever!

A Lifelong Approach to Oral Wellness

It sometimes feels like we drew the short straw as women, and some of the additional health challenges we face. This can include hormonal changes throughout our lives. When it comes to oral health, though, many of the potential challenges can be addressed through simple ways of ‘Saying Yes to You’. Establishing self-care rituals, making sure your products and medications are right for you, and staying on track with professional support to keep you healthy are some of the simple measures we would encourage you to consider during this Women’s Health Week and Beyond!

No matter where you are in this journey, we hope to see you soon to help you ‘Say Yes to You’ when it comes to maintaining oral health as part of your overall health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your dentist before starting any whitening regimen.

How Hormonal Changes in Women Impact Oral Health