Women’s Oral Health: What’s The Difference?
Although both men and women bleed red, we still have many differences, even when it comes to oral care and dental health. There are actually quite a few things when it comes to oral health that women have to worry about more than men, so let’s get down to it.
TMJ And Sjögren’s Syndrome
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome is a painful disorder that results in chronic paint from the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. Women make up a stunning 90% of people who suffer with TMJ syndrome. TMJ syndrome is typically caused by teeth grinding, stress, vitamin deficiency, arthritis, and even the structure of the joint.
Women are also overwhelmingly more prone to developing Sjögren’s syndrome. Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to target and attack salivary glands as well as tear ducts. Eventually, it causes severe dry mouth and dry eye. This can be very damaging to oral health since saliva plays a large role in protecting your mouth from foreign invaders. Saliva clears away food particles, kills bacteria, and also help control the PH.
How Hormones Affect Oral Health
The three biggest factors to oral health and hormones in a woman’s life are puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During both puberty and pregnancy, inflamed gums and gingivitis are much more common. During this time it is imperative for women to stay diligent in caring for their oral health.
During menopause, women are much more prone to experience dry mouth as well as bone loss. It’s important to speak to your dentist as you approach the age of menopause to discuss some of the possible ramifications of dry mouth and bone loss as well as what you can do to mitigate the possible damage.
