When you’re thinking about getting birth control, your oral health is likely one of the last things on your mind. There are a significant number of things that may affect your decision of which style of birth control to use, and one of them just may be the effect of birth control on your oral health. If you’re trying to decide which kind of birth control is right for you, and are concerned about potential ramifications for your oral health, keep reading. We’re going to explore the facts surrounding birth control and your oral health, and how you can protect your teeth while managing your family planning.
The Effect Of Hormonal Changes On Oral Health
It’s long been known that hormonal changes can have a profound effect on your oral health. Women have routinely been advised to pay closer attention during stages of their lives, including PMS, menopause, pregnancy, even puberty. The fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your system can promote the appearance of symptoms of gum disease, including gums that swell and bleed. Within this existing body of knowledge lies our first tie between birth control and oral health.
The Hormone Connection Between Oral Health and Birth Control
One of the most common elements in birth control options for women is the presence of hormones. These types of birth control take advantage of the effect hormone levels have on the body to take control of your cycle and prevent pregnancy. The hormones present in these options also make your body mimic other elements of hormonal fluctuation, including causing symptoms typically associated with gum disease. While newer pills are available with reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone that helps limit these side effects, they are still present and must be taken into account.
Other Factors To Consider With Birth Control and Oral Health
It likely comes as little surprise to discover that smoking and birth control have been shown to increase the problems women experience when taken together. These include an elevated risk of blood clots and dry socket when a tooth has been extracted. Some dental medications also interact poorly with birth control, so it’s essential that you communicate clearly with your dentist on these topics. One more thing to consider, the more time that you spend taking birth control, the higher your likelihood of developing gum disease. While family planning requires consistent use of birth control, it pays to pay extra attention to your oral health while doing so.
These are just a small number of the things women taking birth control have to worry about when it comes to oral health. If you’d like to get more tips and tricks on taking care of your oral health while engaging in family planning, reach out to St Claire Dental in Granbury, TX today. Dr. Maureen Karl will walk you through the effects of birth control on your oral health and help you take steps to protect your teeth against the ravages of dental decay. We can’t wait to hear from you and welcome you to our patient family.