Confirmed connection between women's hormones and gum disease

Published in Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry, the review of 61 journal articles with nearly 100 studies looked at whether hormones have a relationship to gum disease and women's health issues such as preterm labor, bone loss, and the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.

While it is widely known that hormones cause women to experience gum problems during pregnancy, the review stresses the importance of encouraging women to be even more vigilant about maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent the severity of some of the female-specific issues they may otherwise face.

In addition to brushing and flossing daily, women should visit the dentist at least every 6 months, and more often if they suffer from bone loss, already have gum problems, or are pregnant.

Krejci, Charlene B./Bissada, Nabil F. Women's Health: Periodontitis and its Relation to Hormonal Changes, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Osteoporosis. Oral Health Prev Dent, 2012; 10(1):83-92.