Apparently, Your Period Affects This One Part Of Your Body, And It's Definitely Not What You Expect
So how exactly does that play out? To learn more about the connection between the menstrual cycle and oral health, HuffPost asked dentists, an endocrinologist, and an OB-GYN to break it down.
'Hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle can cause your gums to be more sensitive and prone to inflammation,' Dr. Anjali Rajpal, a dentist and founder of Beverly Hills Dental Arts, told HuffPost. 'The hormonal changes can cause your gums to be more reactive to the bacteria in plaque, increasing the chances of gingivitis or early stage gum disease.'
This reaction specifically stems from the change in estrogen and progesterone levels before and during your period.
'As estrogen levels increase, there is more blood flow to the gums, and progesterone can also increase inflammation, sometimes making the gums more reactive,' said Dr. Margaret Nachtigall, a reproductive endocrinologist and clinical associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Health.
As a result of these hormonal shifts, your gum tissue might become more swollen and tender and even bleed. Redness and irritation are common.
'It's somewhat like how hormones can impact your mood ― they similarly influence your oral tissues and their response to daily stresses like microbes,' said Dr. Kami Hoss, a dentist and author of If Your Mouth Could Talk.
These fluctuations temporarily alter the environment of your mouth and shift the balance of inflammation.
'Higher estrogen and progesterone levels cause the blood vessels in the gingival tissues to dilate, making them more sensitive, swollen, and also prone to bleeding,' said Dr. Erin Fraundorf, an orthodontist and founder of Boca Studio. 'Similar to bloating in other parts of the body during menstruation, gum tissues may retain additional fluid, adding to the feeling of tenderness or puffiness.'
She added that you might experience a heightened immune response during this time as well.
'Basically, the progesterone can affect how the collagen of the gingiva gets produced, and it can affect the capillary permeability as well,' said Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN at Orlando Health Women's Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology. 'This can result in the production of more prostaglandins, which are basically compounds that can cause inflammation and pain.'
Experts also refer to this phenomenon as 'menstruation gingivitis.' Similar conditions can occur during puberty and pregnancy as well.
'Pregnant women or people taking birth control pills can notice changes in their gum health,' noted Dr. Sepideh Jalali, a dentist with The Tooth Club. 'And if you are dealing with PCOS, endometriosis, or hormone therapy, your gums will become more sensitive.'
Gum sensitivity and bleeding isn't the full extent of your menstrual cycle's impact on your oral health.
'Some women experience an increase in canker sores, mouth ulcers, or increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods around their periods,' Hoss said.
He noted that hormonal fluctuations can also cause changes in taste or temporarily affect saliva composition, making your mouth feel different.
'Estrogen influences saliva production, which can alter the balance of oral bacteria, causing certain bacteria to thrive in the presence of higher hormone levels,' Rajpal said. 'You may experience canker sores or small ulcers, as well as a change in saliva production where if it manifests as dry mouth instead of excess saliva, you can be more prone to cavities.'
She added that all of these changes can ultimately lead to bad breath as well ― but it's generally temporary.
'While these symptoms typically subside quickly, they're very real and can impact comfort and daily routines,' Hoss said.
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