Hormonal Changes in Teens

Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development, often accompanied by significant hormonal changes. These changes can especially affect the gums and teeth, leading teenagers to have suboptimal oral health.

Specifically, hormonal changes in teens can increase blood flow to the gums, making them more susceptible to swelling and tenderness [1]. Beyond the hormonal shifts, teens often have inconsistent oral hygiene habits, which can compound these issues. Dietary changes during adolescence—such as increased consumption of sugary drinks and snacks—can raise the risk of cavities and further compromise oral health.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Pregnancy is another phase where hormonal changes significantly affect oral health. The increase in hormones like estrogen and progesterone can influence gum tissues and overall oral health, resulting in: 

• Pregnancy gingivitis. Many pregnant women experience swollen, tender gums, often referred to as pregnancy gingivitis [2]. This condition can lead to more serious gum diseases and even impact the health of the baby if not managed properly—research links gum disease to premature birth and low birth weight in infants [3].

• Increased risk of tooth decay. Between experiencing morning sickness and hormonal changes that affect saliva production, pregnant people are more at risk of tooth decay during their pregnancy. Harsh stomach acids can erode tooth enamel, and lack of saliva means less of a buffer between teeth and acids, bacteria, and plaque.

It’s crucial for expectant mothers to maintain their regular oral hygiene practices and visit their dentist for cleanings and exams.

Menopause and Oral Health

Menopause and perimenopause mark another significant shift in hormonal balance, and they can have multiple effects on oral health. The decline in estrogen levels can lead to several dental issues, making regular dental visits especially important.

Menopause can lead to dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as bone loss due to lower estrogen levels [4]. Bone loss can reduce bone density, including in the jawbone, leading to tooth loss and affecting the stability of dental work like implants or dentures.

See Your Dentist Regularly for a Healthy Smile

Understanding these connections between hormonal changes and oral health can guide you in taking the necessary steps to protect your teeth and gums. You don’t have to wait for issues to happen to see your dentist. Schedule a check-up and consultation to ensure your oral health is monitored and managed appropriately at every stage of life!

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12131131/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4385665/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3270055/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3793432/ 

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The short answer is no. While both are technically gum disease, gingivitis is a bit different than full-blown periodontal disease. What are the differences between gum disease and gingivitis? Let’s review their similarities and differences, as well as why you shouldn’t ignore either of them!

Gingivitis: The First Stage of Gum Disease

Gingivitis literally means gum inflammation. During this earliest stage of gum disease, your gum tissue becomes inflamed by bacteria that aren’t being removed during your oral care process.

While poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis, you may be more likely to develop gum inflammation if you smoke or chew tobacco, have a family history of gum disease, or are currently pregnant. Fluctuating hormone levels in the body can make gingivitis more likely, making women who are pregnant or on oral contraception more at risk to develop the condition [1].

Symptoms of gingivitis may not be noticeable at first, but your gums may appear puffy, red, or they may bleed during brushing. Symptoms will be more severe as gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease.

Gum Disease: Advancing Inflammation and Infection

Without treatment, gingivitis will eventually progress to gum disease. Full-blown gum disease is generally more difficult to treat than gingivitis. For many patients, gingivitis can be reversed with a deep cleaning from your dentist and improved home care habits. However, in cases of gum disease, more intensive or repeated therapies may be necessary.

Once gum disease develops, your gums can begin to pull back from your teeth in what’s known as gum recession. Your teeth may become sensitive as your tooth roots may become exposed, and bacteria can get underneath the gum tissue and cause infection.

This infection can destroy the connective tissue that helps anchor your teeth and can even impact the surrounding bone. Eventually, your teeth may begin to feel loose or feel as though they are shifting [2]. If left to progress, gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.

What Can You Do?

Both gingivitis and gum disease can be prevented with the right care, which includes:

• Brushing and flossing every day. Brushing twice daily and flossing once a day go a long way towards keeping gum disease from getting started!
• Visiting your dentist. Your dentist can not only look for signs of gum disease, but thoroughly clean your teeth during your visit to help prevent gingivitis.
• Not using tobacco. Avoiding smoking and chewing tobacco can help keep your smile free of gum inflammation and bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
• Eating a healthy diet. A balanced diet with lots of whole foods and minimal added sugars can help support a healthy smile!

Gum disease and gingivitis are also both treatable, so if you’re experiencing any symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek professional attention from your dentist to help remedy the problem!

Don’t Ignore the Signs of Gum Disease!

Both periodontal disease and gingivitis should be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible to avoid long-term consequences for your smile. Regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist can help you avoid gum disease for a strong and beautiful smile for life!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886879/
2. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info#symptoms

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Crooked teeth affect more than just your appearance. When teeth don’t align together properly, they can cause oral health consequences that impact your smile. Here’s how misaligned teeth can affect your oral health as well as what you can do about it!

Crooked Teeth Are Difficult to Clean

When teeth are crowded or overlap, they’re difficult to properly clean. Even with the right tools and habits such as daily brushing and flossing, misaligned teeth make it more difficult to adequately remove plaque to prevent oral health problems.

If plaque is left on the teeth—especially near the gumline—it can build up and form into a hardened substance called tartar. Both plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease. Having misaligned teeth influences your risk of developing gum disease in your lifetime [1].

Misaligned Teeth Can Increase Your Risk for Bruxism

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is when you consciously or unconsciously grind your teeth. Bruxism is incredibly damaging to your teeth and could happen due to stress, anxiety, or a misaligned bite [2].

When teeth don’t sit properly in the jaw, it can place stress on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to tension and pain. The relationship between bruxism and TMJ disorders is complex, but misaligned teeth are a risk factor for both conditions.

Potential Jaw Issues

Misaligned teeth can also exist with an improper bite, which can place stress on the jaw. This could lead to TMJ symptoms such as jaw stiffness and pain as we’ve seen, or it could even lead to problems with speaking and chewing [3]. Typically, people who correct their misaligned teeth experience a decrease in their symptoms and are able to chew and speak more comfortably.

Treatment Options for Misaligned Teeth

There are many treatment options for crooked teeth to help improve your appearance, your oral health, and your bite. Your choices will all depend on your unique case which makes getting an assessment with your dentist or orthodontist an important step.

You may have the option of going with a retainer-type device that helps move your bite or teeth into their proper positions, or, more commonly, you’ll have the option of braces or Invisalign. Your oral healthcare professional can let you know more about your treatment options during your consultation!

Are Misaligned Teeth Impacting Your Oral Health?

If you have misaligned teeth and your oral health has been impacted, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist to see what can be done. Crooked teeth can influence your risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw discomfort, and straightening your teeth can be an influential form of treatment to help improve your oral health!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html#Risk
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/teeth-grinding
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553375/

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It’s generally easier to treat and reverse gum disease at this early stage rather than when it advances. Can gingivitis really be reversed? Here’s what you need to know.

Yes, With the Right Treatment

Good news—gingivitis can usually be reversed with the right treatment [1]. Your treatment will usually include a professional teeth cleaning, which helps remove plaque and its hardened form, tartar, from your smile in an effort to eliminate the irritants that are contributing to gum disease.

Your dentist will also advise you on the best home care habits to keep gingivitis away. Of course, these will include brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once every day. Your dentist may also recommend a follow-up cleaning sooner than normal to ensure the gingivitis isn’t starting to return.

People with gingivitis that’s a bit more advanced may need a deeper cleaning, called a root planing and scaling. This process is generally not uncomfortable but will include a thorough cleaning to remove any existing infection and smooth your gums to prevent bacteria from getting back underneath the gumline.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which is an accumulation of food debris and bacteria that sticks to your teeth [2]. When not removed regularly, plaque begins to bother the gumline and can lead to an infection, bad breath, and eventually, gum disease.

Some people are also genetically predisposed to develop gingivitis; for example, if their parents have a history of the disease. Others may notice signs of gingivitis during pregnancy, when hormones in the body can lead to inflamed gum tissue.

Signs You Could Have the Beginning Stages of Gum Disease

For some people, gingivitis won’t cause symptoms until it’s progressed. However, you may notice symptoms such as [3]:

 Red gums
 Swollen or puffy gum tissue
 Gums that bleed when brushing
 Tender gums
 Chronic bad breath

Gingivitis is usually preventable with the proper brushing and flossing habits in addition to checkups with your dentist. However, if you notice one or more of these signs of gum disease, it’s essential to follow up with your oral healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Are you seeing signs of gingivitis? Don’t ignore it thinking it’ll go away on its own. It’s impossible to reverse the condition without professional treatment. Your dentist will ensure that your treatment is comfortable and thorough so that gingivitis doesn’t return!

Sources:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/periodontal-disease_0.pdf
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-
20354473
3. https://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-periodontal

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Although gingivitis isn’t technically gum disease, it can lead to full-blown gum disease if left untreated. Here are the top causes of this oral health problem and how you can treat it to prevent gum disease from ruining your smile!

Poor Oral Hygiene

Plaque is the most common cause of gingivitis. Plaque consists of bacteria that coats the teeth—if you haven’t brushed for a few hours or overnight, you can often feel plaque beginning to form on your pearly whites!

Typically, you can keep plaque off the surfaces of your teeth and from accumulating around your gumline by brushing and flossing regularly. However, when you skip brushing or flossing, plaque can build up in the mouth and eventually lead to gingivitis [1].

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes have the ability to affect the oral cavity, particularly when it comes to gum tissue. In pregnant women, these changes can cause an increased flow of blood to the gums, causing them to appear swollen and to mimic the symptoms of gingivitis [2].

However, don’t immediately write off your symptoms as related to pregnancy. Some women may have gingivitis before they become pregnant, and the hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the condition worse.

You should always follow up with your dentist if you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease, especially during pregnancy, as women with gum disease are more at risk to give birth to premature babies or babies with low birth weight [3].

Other Causes

There are other factors that can cause gum disease. People whose parents have gingivitis are more likely to develop it, as are people who smoke or use tobacco.

People who have crowded or crooked teeth may have difficulty cleaning all the surfaces of their teeth, leading to more plaque formation and an increased risk of gingivitis. Uncontrolled diabetes can also influence plaque formation in the oral cavity.

Some medications such as anti-seizure medications and even oral contraceptives have also been linked to gingivitis [4].

How Can You Treat Gingivitis?

Your dentist can usually treat gingivitis without special treatment. Typically, patients with gum inflammation need a deep cleaning to remove plaque from around the gumline, and to continue proper oral care habits at home [5].

For patients whose crowded teeth or a medical condition such as diabetes is suspected to be the cause of their gingivitis, correcting these underlying issues can lead to greater chances of success with treating the condition.

Keeping up with your regular dental visits in addition to your oral care at home can help prevent gingivitis! When treating this oral health condition, it’s essential to follow up with your dentist for regular cleanings to ensure that the inflammation doesn’t return and develop into gum disease.

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pregnancy/concerns
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/AAP_EFP_Pregnancy
4. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gingivitis
5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001056.htm

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Cosmetic Procedures

If you have a cosmetic issue with your gums that needs to get fixed, a periodontist would be the
person to see. This includes gummy smile, where the gums tend to cover more of the teeth
than necessary. Since periodontists are experts at handling gum tissue, they can reposition the
gums to help reveal more of your smile.

Treat Severe Gum Disease

Periodontists are skilled professionals when it comes to treating inflammation in the mouth.
This includes patients who have an advanced stage of gum disease.
Although many dentists can treat gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist if
you have a case that warrants extra attention. This includes aggressive gum disease, severe
gum disease, or gum disease which is recurring.

Periodontists can also clean the gums in a procedure called root planing and scaling, in which
the infection and bacteria from gum tissue is removed to help your gums heal from gum
disease.

Help With Dental Implants

Periodontists can assist with the placement of dental implants as well. Since these special
dentists know all about gum tissue, they can help determine where the best place to put them
is. Dental implant procedures involve a post inserted into the jaw through the gum tissue, so
ensuring the right placement can be incredibly helpful for healing.

Periodontists can also help maintain dental implants or repair them if they were done
incorrectly. Your dentist can help you determine when and if you need to see a specialist when
it comes to placement of dental implants.

Who Should See a Periodontist?

Not every dental patient will need to see a periodontist. Many gum health needs can be
addressed by your dentist, but some patients may need a level of care and expertise that can
only be provided by a periodontist. At this point in time, your dentist can refer you to a
periodontist to help.

People who may need to see a periodontist include those that have advanced gum disease, a
complex medical history that may make regular treatment for gum disease too risky, chronic
gum disease, or gum disease that’s set in early, such as in childhood. Other cases include
patients who have a gum abscess, or significant gum recession.

Have you ever seen a periodontist? These dentists receive years of extra training to be skilled
and experienced in treating your gum tissue. If your dentist thinks you need to see a
periodontist to treat your gum disease, determine dental implant placement, or conduct a
cosmetic procedure, you’ll be in good hands!

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Gingival surgery is a treatment for gum disease that involves grafting the gums so that they can heal from the bacteria and infections that caused gum disease, and most importantly, protect and support your teeth as they were meant to do.

Gum grafting is a procedure that many patients with advanced gum disease need in order to have a successful treatment. During this treatment, healthy gum tissue will be taken from one part of your mouth (typically the roof) and attached around the affected tooth or teeth to repair the damage done from the gum recession.

When Should Gingival Surgery Be Considered?

If you have gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend a deep cleaning procedure to see if this will help your gum disease. During this procedure, your dentist will do what is called root planing and scaling, which is also called periodontal therapy. During periodontal therapy, your dentist will remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that are contributing to your gum disease. This is the scaling part; the root planing part helps to smooth your tooth’s root in order to keep the bacteria and plaque from going back beneath the gums. This procedure is meant to allow your mouth to heal from gum disease.

However, if periodontal therapy is unsuccessful and your gums have receded past a certain point, your dentist may suggest gingival surgery. Gingival surgery should only be considered after periodontal therapy has proven ineffective.

What Can Patients Expect During the Procedure?

During the procedure, a piece of healthy gum tissue will be removed from one part of your mouth and be attached to the receding gums of your tooth or teeth. After the procedure, you’ll be allowed to go home with aftercare instructions.

Your oral surgeon will advise you to avoid brushing or flossing the tooth or teeth that received the gum grafts, and you may have a special rinse to help your mouth remain clean while it’s healing. You may also need some over-the- counter pain medications to ease your discomfort of the portion of your mouth from which the graft was taken.

Healing time is different for everyone, but talk with your oral surgeon and be sure to carefully follow his or her instructions. Always seek help if you have questions or concerns! Gingival surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment when it comes to significant gum recession as a result of gum disease. Gum recession often happens slowly, so you may not notice a changed appearance or the symptoms until it’s too late. Regular checkups can help your dentist spot gum disease before gingival surgery is necessary!

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Determine What’s Causing the Swelling

After your dentist visit to check for gum disease, discuss what could be causing the swelling. You may have just gotten braces, your wisdom teeth removed, or had an injury to your mouth. These are the more obvious causes, but there are less obvious ones as well. Pregnant women tend to experience swollen gums, or you may not be brushing and flossing properly. Only when you determine what’s causing the swelling can you take effective steps to treat the problem!

Brush and Floss Gently

Are you brushing too hard? This could be causing your gum irritation. You want to be sure to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently. Plaque doesn’t require much effort to remove, and if you’re brushing twice a day, soft brushing will certainly do the trick to remove this sticky substance. Flossing gently once a day can also help to remove any plaque that’s built up and could be irritating your gums. The American Dental Association recommends you use about 18 inches and use a clean section for every tooth!

Rinse with Salt Water

A salt water solution could help soothe your gums and remove any irritants such as bacteria or trapped food particles. Try a quarter teaspoon or up to a teaspoon in a cup of warm water. Swish the salt water around gently in your mouth for a minute or so, then spit out. Be sure not to swallow as this solution could contain bacteria and food particles that you don’t want in your body!

Do Warm and Cold Compresses

Alternating warm and cold compresses to the outside of the affected area can increase circulation and help reduce your gum swelling. While warm compresses tend to be soothing, cold compresses are more effective at helping to reduce pain. Alternate warm and cold and hold against your face, don’t apply the compress directly to your gums. Always be sure to use a clean cloth and never apply extreme temperatures to your skin.

Check Your Diet

If you and your dentist are stumped about what’s causing your gum swelling, it might be time for some blood work. You could be deficient in key nutrients that could be leading to circulation or healing issues. Always ensure to eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. These foods will help encourage total oral health in addition to reducing your gum swelling.

Gum swelling can be unsightly and painful. Your first step is a trip to the dentist to ensure you’re not suffering from gum disease. Then, you can try the steps listed above to try and improve your gum swelling. Soothing compresses, salt water rinses, and proper brushing and flossing can help!

Photo courtesy of nenetus at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Why do you need professional treatment for gingivitis?

To Remove Tartar

Plaque forms on our teeth daily, especially when our diets consist of a lot of processed foods or sugars. Plaque is easily removed with gentle brushing and a proper toothbrush. However, when you forgo brushing, have a poor diet, or have a surplus of bad bacteria in your mouth, you could be putting yourself at risk to have an increased amount of plaque, which can turn into tartar.

Tartar is a hard deposit that can only be removed by a professional oral health care specialist, such as a dentist or periodontist. They carefully scrape and remove the tartar, which can help your teeth and gums to heal and reverse the gum disease. Once tartar forms from plaque, it cannot be removed with any home care techniques.

How Advanced Is Your Gum Disease?

Your gum disease may not seem so bad, especially if you only see a little blood when brushing or experience mild tenderness of the gums. However, gum disease can be much more advanced than you think. Often patients won’t even know they have gingivitis until they visit their dentist. By the time you’re experiencing symptoms, your gum disease may be more advanced than you think it is. A dentist or periodontist can determine how advanced your gum disease is and may even be able to reverse it. Gum disease is reversible at certain stages, which makes it even more important to visit your dentist for checkups and seek professional treatment for your gum disease before it’s too late.

Infections Can Happen

Trying to treat gum disease at home isn’t only unsuccessful, but can be dangerous as well. Patients can develop infections due to the plaque and tartar on their teeth that are causing their gums to swell and bleed. These infections could be life-threatening if they enter the bloodstream, or the infection could turn into an abscess of the tooth.

Tooth abscesses caused by periodontal disease can even happen in the bone that supports your teeth in your jaw in extreme cases. Tooth abscesses tend to be painful and can lead to drainage of the infection that can end up in your mouth or sinuses. If not treated, a cyst can form in the bone which can cause the need for tooth extraction to drain the abscess and properly treat the infection.

It’s important to never ignore what your body is trying to tell you. When symptoms are present,schedule a visit with your dentist or periodontist. Don’t have dental insurance? Many offices offer financing through a third party, which is often available at 0% interest. You need professional treatment for your gingivitis!

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Causes of Gum Recession

Gum recession could be happening for a variety of reasons, some of which could be out of your control. For example, genes largely determine your gum health, so if your parents have recessing gums, you could be at risk too! However, here are some things you could be doing to cause gum recession:

Brushing too hard. Brushing too hard is so damaging to your tooth’s enamel. You should always be using a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently. Hard brushing simply isn’t necessary to get that plaque off! Also, remember to floss gently as well.

Not seeking orthodontic treatment. If you have overcrowded teeth, this could influence gum recession.

Teeth grinding. Grinding your teeth can cause inflammation in your tooth’s root and fractures in your teeth. If you suspect you’re a grinder, get to the dentist as soon as possible to learn how you can stop doing this!

Injury or trauma. If you’ve had an injury or trauma to your mouth such as from an accident, this could cause gum recession.

Poor oral hygiene habits. Skip brushing on most days? Don’t remember the last time you flossed? Drink soda and alcohol frequently? You’re setting your mouth up for some serious problems in the future. Poor oral hygiene habits can lead to gum recession! Now that we know some of the things that can cause gum recession, let’s learn what we can do once it starts happening.

Treatment for Gum Recession

Treatment for gum recession will depend on the root cause of your gum recession. Like many other medical conditions, the earlier you catch it, the better. This is why it’s important to pay attention to the symptoms of gum recession and changes in your mouth. If hard brushing is found to be the culprit, you’ll simply need to adopt better brushing habits and switch to a softer toothbrush. It can take practice to learn to brush your teeth gently, especially if you’ve been brushing your teeth too aggressively for years!

If you’re grinding your teeth, you and your dentist can discuss how to prevent this habit and what you can do about it, such as wear a custom mouth guard while sleeping. If you have poor oral hygiene, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning in order to help restore your gums’ health and encourage healing. If you have severe gum recession, you may need gum grafts.

Gum recession isn’t pleasant, but you can prevent damage by seeking orthodontic treatment if needed, brushing gently, and as always, getting regular checkups with your dentist. Your dentist can spot gum recession before it causes you unpleasant symptoms!

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