03/12/2026
👩🏻 Women’s History Month – DID YOU KNOW?
Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life can significantly impact oral health. Life stages such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and even the use of birth control pills can influence the condition of the mouth and gums. Because of this, maintaining strong oral hygiene, visiting your dentist regularly, eating a balanced diet, and limiting sugary beverages are essential for protecting oral health at every stage of life.
During puberty, rising estrogen and progesterone levels can make gums more sensitive, leading to redness, swelling, and bleeding. Consistent brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups can help manage these changes.
During menstruation, some women may experience swollen gums, canker sores, or cold sores. These symptoms usually resolve on their own, but sores that last longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a dental professional.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can increase the body’s response to plaque. In fact, about 60–75% of pregnant women develop gingivitis, which causes red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Untreated gum disease during pregnancy has been linked to complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Some women may also develop a benign gum growth called a pregnancy tumor (pyogenic granuloma), often between the teeth, caused by hormonal changes and irritation from plaque. These growths are non-cancerous and typically resolve after pregnancy.
This Women’s History Month, we acknowledge and celebrate women’s health -both the advancements and yet blatant shortcomings in attention to women’s issues. We emphasize the importance of caring for your smile through every stage of life, and we maintain hope for the future when it comes to breakthroughs in women’s health research.