You are a woman. You are unique. And as a woman, you have unique health care needs. You know that these needs change with your body; during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, for example, and require you to take special care of yourself or to seek advice from a health care provider.

As your health care needs change, your oral care needs change, too. That's because your oral health and overall health are connected. Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, including gum tissue. These changes may increase susceptibility to periodontal (gum) disease and require you to take special care of your oral health.

Taking care of your oral health is an important part of your overall health. Learning more about how one affects the other will help you to actively participate in you health care decisions.

Puberty & Menstruation
As a young woman's system matures during puberty, the production of sex hormones progesterone and possibly estrogen increase. These elevated hormone levels may cause an increase in the gums' sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation, including food particles and plaque. During this time, the gums can become swollen, turn red and may feel tender. Some women experience similar symptoms three to four days prior to their period also due to an increased amount of progesterone in the system.

Occasionally, some women experience menstruation gingivitis. This condition is marked by reappearing gingival (gum) bleeding, a bright red swelling of the gums between the teeth or sores on the inside of the cheek. Menstruation gingivitis typically occurs right before a woman's period and clears up once her period has started.

These conditions and symptoms tend to lessen as the amount of sex hormones decrease. However, it is important to maintain oral health during these hormonal fluctuations, including at-home oral hygiene and regular professional dental care, so that the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth are not damaged. In some cases, periodontal therapy may be recommended to ensure that your periodontal health is its best!

Pregnancy & Oral Contraceptives
There used to be an old wives' tale that said, "A tooth lost for every child." While it may seem far-fetched, it actually is based loosely in fact. Your teeth and gums are affected by pregnancy, just as other tissues in your body.

Most commonly, women can experience increased gingivitis, or pregnancy gingivitis, beginning in the second or third month that increases in severity through the eighth month. During this time, some women notice swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue.

In some cases, gums swollen by pregnancy gingivitis can react strongly to local irritants and form large lumps. These growths, called pregnancy tumors, are not cancerous and are generally painless. They usually disappear after pregnancy, but may require professional removal.

The best way to avoid gum conditions associated with pregnancy is to begin with healthy gums. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, you should visit a periodontist for a full periodontal evaluation.

If you're pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you need to know that your periodontal health can affect the health of your baby. Studies have shown any infection during pregnancy, including periodontal infection, is cause for concern and may put you a significant risk for delivering a premature, low birthweight baby. Why take the chance? Include periodontal health in your prenatal care. A healthy mouth will give you, and your baby, something to smile about!

If you're taking any oral contraceptives (birth control pills), you may be susceptible to oral health conditions that affect pregnant women. Synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives are designed to mimic pregnancy and may cause your gums to turn red, bleed and swell.

If you are taking oral contraceptives, careful periodontal monitoring and excellent oral hygiene, including personal and professional care, are essential to ensure the health of your gum tissue and bone supporting your teeth. As always, it's important to mention any prescriptions that you are taking, including oral contraceptives, to your medical and dental care providers. This will help to eliminate the risk of harmful drug interactions caused by popular medications, such as antibiotics, that can lessen the effect of an oral contraceptive.

Menopause
If you're menopausal or post-menopausal, you may have noticed a change in the way your mouth looks or feels. These symptoms may be related to changes occurring in your body, but a clear understanding of why this happens is not yet established.

You may experience discomfort in your mouth, including pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour. Most women find that estrogen supplements, either in pill form or a solution applied directly to the affected tissue, help to relieve these symptoms. Additionally, saliva substitues are available to lessen the effects of a "dry" mouth.

On rare occasions, a woman may experience menopausal gingivostomatitis. This condition is marked by gums that may look dry or shiny, bleed easily, and range from abnormally pale to deep red.