While everyone has teeth, many biological and social differences between men and women result in different dental health needs. Both men and women have different experiences with their dental health, and women, in particular, face unique challenges that result in an entirely different focus for their care. At many dental offices, your dentist will most likely have already factored in those differences, but we’re here to explain those differences in a better light so you can better care for your oral health.
How Women’s Dental Health Concerns Differ
Women face different concerns than men, mainly due to their physical and biological differences. For instance, women have much smaller oral facial features, meaning that the mouth pharynx, esophagus, and other mouth and throat areas are significantly smaller than men. While this physical difference doesn’t directly impact their oral health, it’s a continuous factor when accounting for dental treatments, such as restorations and surgeries.
One of the biggest factors that play a significant role in women’s dental health is their hormones. Women face a completely different set of hormonal concerns, some of which contribute to their increased risk of certain oral diseases. Hormones impact everything we do and how our bodies receive messages and respond to certain information. Some examples include:
- For women, their increased levels of estrogen and progesterone result in changes in gum inflammation, especially during menstrual cycles, leading to an increased risk of canker sores.
- Pregnant women face inflamed gums and an increased risk of gum disease due to how their body’s immune system reacts to those changes.
- Contraception methods affect women by controlling the influx of those hormones and affect how your mouth heals after specific treatments.
- Women during menopause experience more problems as they age because as the hormone estrogen increases, conditions such as dry mouth and burning mouth pain can occur. Menopausal women will also face an increased risk of osteoporosis, which can cause their teeth and jawline to lose bone, leading to tooth loss.
However, despite these concerns, women are more likely to have better dental health than men. Men are less likely to visit the dentist due to the lack of awareness of dental health problems within their frame of reference. When ignored, it can cause men to develop conditions such as heart disease and other adverse side effects due to their poor oral health. This also increases their risks of oral cancer, as they can be driven by biological and social behaviors such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.
Women may face more challenges regarding their dental health, but they’re also more likely to visit the dentist and treat it due to how aware women are of their bodies and how they change over time. Because hormonal changes occur regularly throughout their life, they’re more likely to notice when something’s wrong with their oral health.
Visit South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry For Comprehensive Dental Care Today!
At South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry, setting the standard for good oral hygiene habits is a priority when helping patients with their dental care. For patients seeking dental treatment in Spokane, WA, Dr. Ulysses Vargas can provide various dental treatments at an affordable cost. Call (509) 747-8779 today to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment.