Prosper Dentist Discusses How Gum Disease Affects Women

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Dr. Newton, your  Prosper family dentist, takes pride in having a special understanding of her female patients. Hormone fluctuations during certain times in a woman’s life can put the female members of our species at a much higher risk for periodontal disease. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in the United States, afflicting approximately 80% of the population, so we already have the odds against us.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Gum disease has been linked to many other systemic health issues: strokes, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pre-term labor. Early gum disease is marked by such mild symptoms that it may go unnoticed until it’s more severe. If there are symptoms, the main ones generally seep to be:

  • Tender/Swollen Gums
  • Pink/Red/Purple/Gum Tissue
  • Bleeding Gums

Hormone Related Gum Disease

At the various times of life that generally come along with major hormonal fluctuations for women, there can be a greater chance of gum disease incidence. Puberty, pregnancy, middle-age, and menopause would be examples of times when hormonal related gum disease would most likely be seen. When gum disease starts, it cannot be stopped completely, but it can certainly be controlled.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammatory issue. Infection of gingival tissues usually results from plaque and tartar buildup at the gumline. Brushing and flossing twice a day can reduce plaque and bacteria from breeding by the thousands in your mouth. Plaque that is not cleaned off by brushing and flossing will harden into tartar (also known as calculus) in about 48 hours. Tartar will have to be removed by a professional dental hygienist for your safety. Depending on the health of your gums, your hygienist or dentist may recommend a special oral hygiene regimen or a deep cleaning to control gum disease.

 Consult with Prosper Family Dentist

If you are a woman of any age that is due for a dental checkup, your Prosper family dentist would love to see you. Call (214) 851-0130 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Newton at our 75009 dentist office. We welcome patients from Celina, Prosper, Gunter, Frisco, Anna, Pilot Point, McKinney, and other nearby communities.