Health News / July 2007
The Pill, the Pause and the Peridontist
Her smile is a woman’s greatest beauty enhancer, so new studies regarding periodontal disease are a concern for women of all ages. Two new studies in the June issue of the Journal of Periodontology suggest that periodontal diseases are a threat to women of all ages and may be related to hormonal fluctuations that occur at various stages of their lives.
One study looked at fifty women between the ages of 20 to 35 with varying forms of periodontitis. The study found that women who currently were taking oral contraceptive pills had more gingival bleeding upon probing and deeper periodontal pockets, a sign of periodontitis, than those who were not taking oral contraceptive pills.
Although periodontal disease is a condition associated with older individuals, the study showed that it is very possible for younger women to experience periodontal disease. Young women and women of any age should inform their dental practitioners of any medications they are taking, especially oral contraceptives, because it is possible that their oral health may be affected. It might also be prudent for young women to have their periodontal health checked before commencing oral contraceptives.
Another study examined 1,256 postmenopausal women and looked for a potential association between periodontal bacteria and bone loss in the oral cavity. The study results showed women with periodontal bacteria in their mouths were also more likely to have bone loss in the oral cavity, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
Older women are likely to take medications that can impact oral health and affect dental treatment. Hundreds of common medications - including antihistamines, diuretics, pain killers, high blood pressure medications and antidepressants - can cause side effects such as dry mouth, soft tissue changes, taste changes, and gingival overgrowth. Herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications can also be a factor.
Additionally, women who are menopausal or post-menopausal may experience changes in their mouths. Other recent studies suggest that estrogen deficiency could place post-menopausal women at higher risk for severe periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Hormonal changes may result in discomfort in the mouth, including dry mouth, pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue. Menopausal gingivostomatitis, marked by gums that look dry or shiny, bleed easily and range from abnormally pale to deep red, also affects a small percentage of women. Most women find that estrogen supplements help to relieve these symptoms.
Bone loss is associated with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis could lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased. More research is being done to determine if and how a relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease exists. Women considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help fight osteoporosis should note it may help protect their teeth as well.
“Our study’s findings are important for postmenopausal women because they suggest that good periodontal health is extremely important in the postmenopausal years,” said study author Renee Brennan, PhD. “We found that oral bone loss was associated with presence of oral bacteria. In fact, 62% of the women in our study had at least one species of subgingival bacteria present, and the women with these bacteria had more evidence of oral bone loss. Interestingly, women who had a Body Mass Index in the overweight range were much more likely to have oral bone loss associated with presence of oral bacteria. Oral bone loss has been associated with osteoporosis in this group as well. The association has been difficult to study because many risk factors for periodontal disease and osteoporosis, including smoking, age, medications and overall general health, are similar. It should be noted that our study was limited in that it included a relatively healthy group of mostly Caucasian women.”
Women may need to pay special attention to their oral health as they enter different stages of their lives since additional periodontal care may be needed at different times, like the reproductive years or menopause. Knowing her ‘pocket size’ depth can be a good way for a woman to keep track of her periodontal health. Periodontal pockets of one to two millimeters with no bleeding are not a concern but pockets of three and four millimeters may need in depth cleaning and specialized attention. Taking care of teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment no matter what a woman’s age.
For more information, visit www.perio.org.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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