Hablamos Español

305-447-1447
Contact Us

Dr. John Paul Gallardo

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry

  • About
    • Meet Dr. Gallardo
    • Our Office
    • Our Bilingual Office
    • In The News
    • What Are My Options?
    • Why us
    • Location
  • Dental Emergency
  • Services
    • Dental Implants
      • Implants Overview
      • Dental Implant Repair
      • Dentures Vs. Implants
      • Single Tooth Replacement
      • Multiple Teeth Replacement
      • Full Teeth Replacement
      • All-on-4® Implants
      • Metal-Free Dental Implants
      • Teethxpress
      • Implant Failure Treatment
    • Gum Treatments
      • The Pinhole Surgical Technique
      • Laser Periodontal Therapy
      • Alloderm
      • Non-Surgical Methods
      • Periodontal Plastic Surgery
    • Cosmetic & Hygiene
      • Dental Crown Lengthening
      • Laser Gum Depigmentation
      • Lip Repositioning
      • Teeth Cleaning
      • Invisalign
      • Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics
      • Professional Teeth Whitening
    • Oral Surgery
      • Bone Grafting
      • Jaw Surgery
      • Treatment Options
      • TMJ Disorder
      • Wisdom Teeth Removal
    • Technology Offered
      • Plasma Rich Growth Factors
      • Sedation Dentistry
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Oral DNA Testing
    • Endodontics
      • Dental Bridges
      • Dental Crowns
      • Full & Partial Dentures
      • Root Canal Treatment
      • Tooth Extraction
  • Photos
  • Reviews
    • RealSelf Reviews
    • Online Reviews
    • Solution Reach Reviews
    • Testimonial Videos
  • For Patients
    • Common Questions
    • Virtual Consultation
    • Out of Town Patients
    • Dental Financing
    • Dental Warranty
    • Educational Videos
    • Medical History Form
    • Patient Referral
    • Pre & Post-Operative Instructions
    • Registration Form
    • Pay Your Bill Online
  • For Dentists
    • Patient Referral
    • Newsletter
    • Why You Should Trust Us
CALL
EMAIL

Do Hormone Changes Cause Gum Disease?

Do Hormone Changes Cause Gum DiseaseHormones can trigger many different changes in the body. Different life phases cause the hormones to go haywire, which is why teens get acne, pregnant women get morning sickness, and menopausal women get hot flashes. However, most people experiencing changes in hormone levels aren’t too worried about their teeth. Unfortunately, since hormones affect every part of the body, changes can cause problems with oral health, as well. But do hormone changes actually cause gum disease? Let’s take a look.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is often known as gum disease. It’s caused by bacteria from plaque opening up deepening pockets next to the teeth, which makes it difficult to clean out plaque and calculus. Over time, this causes bleeding gums, loose teeth, and worse. In a healthy mouth, “good” bacteria (the biofilm) help to protect the gums from harmful organisms. However, when the biofilm is exposed to excessive harmful bacteria, it responds by creating pathogens that cause inflammation and only make gum disease worse. So how do hormones affect this disease?

The Effects of Hormones on Gum Disease

Hormonal changes don’t directly cause gum disease, but they can be one factor in periodontal disease. Changes in the hormones (particularly estrogen and progesterone) affect the gums by changing the blood flow to the gums and affecting the way tissues respond to plaque in the mouth, causing irritation and often bleeding during brushing and flossing. Hormonal influences on gum health tend to affect women more often than men, since women go through more hormone changes throughout life. While increased risk for gum disease tends to occur most often during pregnancy and menopause, many women experience symptoms during puberty and right before a monthly menstrual cycle. Even women who take birth control can notice more irritation and inflammation in the gums.

The Dangers of Periodontal Disease

Gum disease presents as inflammation and is considered a chronic infection. People suffering from periodontal disease are at risk for more than just swollen, painful gums and loose teeth. The bacteria causing gum disease can easily enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums, introducing an increased risk for a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. Gingivitis is the first sign of gum disease, but it should not be ignored as it can easily worsen and turn into periodontal disease.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

People going through hormonal changes or hormone treatments need to be particularly careful when it comes to oral health. Women who are pregnant, menopausal, or on hormonal birth control should pay special attention to brushing and flossing regularly and schedule regular dental cleanings to monitor for periodontal disease. During pregnancy, some experts suggest visiting the dentist every three months if possible, to help reduce the possibility of developing gum disease. Rinsing the mouth with baking soda can help remove some acids that contribute to gum issues, and women should ask their dentists for specific tips to help prevent issues during pregnancy or menopause.

Worried? Talk to an Expert

If you think you might be seeing early signs of periodontal disease, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist. If caught early, it’s much easier to treat than if the disease is allowed to become more advanced. Regular cleanings and exams will help keep gum disease in check, so even if you’re not worried about periodontal issues, it’s important to stay proactive—sometimes gum disease doesn’t produce many symptoms in the beginning.

Need an expert in gum health? Drs. Gallardo in Miami are renowned for their knowledge and expertise in treating periodontal disease. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 305-547-8687 today.

Contact Us

  • By submitting this form I agree to the Terms of Use.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Before All-on-4 ® Dental Implants photo After All-on-4 ® Dental Implants photo
View more All-on-4 ® Dental Implants before and after photos

Reviews

  • My experience with Dr. Gallardo was great. I had no pain after my tooth extraction and bone grafting procedure. I was pleased with how fast my…

    • 5 stars
  • Amazing! Removed my 4 wisdom teeth, had no pain and didn't get swollen at all after.

    • 5 stars
  • I recently had a tooth extraction with bone graft. Dr. Gallardo was excellent! I'm so glad I found him online. My recovery went really smoothly…

    • 5 stars

Our Doctors Are Featured In

Modern Luxury Miami

Univision

Quick Links

  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
  • Gallery
  • Reviews
  • For Patients
  • Patient Referral
  • Contact Us

Contact Details

  • 2020 SW 27th Ave Miami,
    Florida 33145
  • 305-447-1447

Location Map

Location Map

Proud of our Reputation

RealSelf
Yelp
Healthgrades

© Copyright 2020. Dr. John Paul Gallardo. Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Sitemap