Is There A Link Between Gum Disease And Birth Control?

There are plenty of arguments people have both for and against birth control. Some people oppose it on religious grounds. Others don’t like the idea of putting the chemicals into their body.

Some people think it is necessary for their health in addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies. But what if there is a link between birth control and gum disease. Will this change anyone’s opinion?

Hormones In The Body

Men and women both have hormones at work in their body. When it comes to women, the hormones play a large role in their ability to give birth. Birth control works by giving the women doses of estrogen and progesterone that prevent the release of the egg that would occur naturally. The hormones make the body think it is already pregnant and there is no need to ovulate. It also means there are more hormones roaming around in the body. The body is acting like it is pregnant and releasing a variety of different hormones that can affect gum health.

The Dangers Of Gum Disease

Pregnant women are prone to have inflamed and bleeding gums while doping normal activities such as brushing and flossing. The same is true of women on birth control. The gums of a woman on birth control may sell more and may appear inflamed and red. They are also more likely to bleed. These are issues that can lead to problems with gum disease.

The good news is that the birth control of today is different than in the past. Older birth control pills used higher doses of the hormones to work. The birth controls of today are lower and present less of a danger.
It is still important for any women on birth control to pay attention to the dangers of gum disease.

Knowledge of the signs and regular checkups at our dental offices is the best thing to do to prevent gum disease. Contact our office today if you have any questions about this or any other oral health issue.