May is Women’s Health Month and taking care of your oral health is the first step in ensuring your overall well-being. Your body is connected in more ways than you can imagine. Growing research has linked gum disease in women to several additional health problems. While gum disease is a bacterial infection that can cause tooth loss, it can spread into the bloodstream and affect other parts of your body. The first step in preventing developing serious health issues is attending your routine dental checkup in Casper. Read on to learn about women’s health complications and how your oral health changes throughout your life.
Connecting the Dots Between Oral and Overall Health
Key symptoms for diagnosing serious diseases can appear in your mouth before anywhere else. One of the most common oral health problems for women is gum disease, which is linked to issues such as heart problems and pregnancy outcomes. Here’s how this bacterial infection of the gums can affect other parts of your body:
- Pregnancy outcomes: Women who have gum disease and are pregnant are more likely to have a prematurely born baby. This disease can also affect certain biological fluids that can induce labor.
- Respiratory issues: When harmful bacteria are left to build up, they can get into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, making you more likely to get pneumonia.
- Heart disease: If you have a gum infection, you’re at a higher risk of experiencing heart disease and attacks. Heart disease is also the leading killer of women in America.
These are just a few health issues connected to gum disease. Other connections have been made to diabetes and strokes as well. Because a bacterial oral infection is typically painless, some women don’t know they have it and get diagnosed when it’s too late. Visiting your dentist in Casper for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings can help you catch problems before they advance and put you at risk for developing additional serious illnesses.
Women’s Oral Health Changes That are Important to Note
Women’s oral health can change because of fluctuating hormone levels during different stages of your life. During these times, be mindful of your oral health and thoroughly brush and floss to help prevent gum disease:
- Taking oral contraceptives can cause inflamed gums.
- During menopause, you may experience inflamed or red gums, oral discomfort, burning sensations, and dry mouth.
- During pregnancy, studies have shown that women are more likely to experience gingivitis, heavy plaque buildup, and irritated gums.
- Osteoporosis has been linked to jawbone and tooth loss. If you also have gum disease, this especially puts your oral health at risk.
Visiting your dentist for your routine checkups and cleanings is the best way to catch small problems before they result in serious health issues. This Women’s Health Month, take care of your body by starting off with your mouth.
About the Author
Dr. Erin Prach started her own practice and has been serving her community of Casper since September of 2015. She takes pride in furthering her education so she can give her patients the quality of dental care that they deserve. She enjoys seeing her patients become confident in their oral health after visiting her practice. For any questions or to schedule a semi-annual checkup and cleaning, visit her website or contact 307-337-4770.