How Hormonal Changes Can Cause Receding Gums

Hormonal changes are natural and required for healthy physiological function. However, certain hormonal changes may negatively affect gum health by raising the risk of receding gums and gum disease. Restorative dentistry procedures may help you get your gums back in shape and repair your teeth. It is especially essential to maintain excellent dental hygiene practices during times of hormonal fluctuation. This article focuses on a few of these typical hormonal shifts and how they influence gum health.

Understanding hormonal changes

Hormones are biological chemicals that regulate physiological processes and behavior. Hormones vary naturally to suit the body's requirements during stressful periods, puberty, or pregnancy.

Although hormonal changes are a normal part of life, an increased risk of gum recession and disease is possible as one of the potential adverse effects. Hormonal changes may raise the risk of gum disease for two reasons: they influence how the body reacts to toxins produced by plaque accumulation and how blood supply to the gum tissues is affected.

Hormonal changes that affect gum health

Hormonal changes seem to make women more susceptible to gum-related issues. The reason is that a woman's reproductive cycle leads her to go through monthly hormonal changes. Other hormonal changes that may put the gums at risk include:

Puberty: Males and females both go through puberty, which produces significant hormonal changes. Hormones may affect how the gums react to infection and boost blood flow to the gum tissues. Therefore, certain people may develop gum disease, which manifests as swollen, red gums, recession, or bleeding while brushing and flossing.

Pregnancy: Although severe hormonal changes are necessary for embryonic development, they may raise the mother's risk of gum disease. During the second and third trimesters, pregnant women are most susceptible to gum-related issues and should be consistent with dental hygiene to preserve their gums.

Menstruation: During and shortly before a woman's menstrual cycle, some hormone levels rise. Progesterone levels typically rise around this time, causing the gums to swell and bleed. The salivary glands may also swell, resulting in decreased saliva production and a higher susceptibility to gum recession.

Menopause: During menopause, women's bodies may have trouble balancing estrogen and progesterone levels. Consequently, many menopausal women suffer from dry mouth. The salivary glands do not produce enough saliva in those who have dry mouths. Food remnants on the teeth and gums may lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Taking birth control pills: Progesterone levels in a woman's body may be raised by taking birth control pills. Increased progesterone levels may increase blood flow to the gums, leading to gum inflammation, recession, and gum disease.