“The old wives’ tale that a woman loses one tooth for every child she delivers”
Dr. Temjennungsang Longchari
Dental Touch & Facial Aesthetics Midland, Dimapur
I, as a dental surgeon, am always interested to know about our people’s opinion on oral & general health issues & values. Today, I like to ask every woman, a mother or a child girl this question; do you believe that a woman loses one tooth for every child she delivers? I would say this tale may, in fact, contain a grain of truth.
And probably you don’t know …..
- Women have higher rates of decay teeth due to dental caries
- Women on average have more missing teeth than men
- Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy, can lead to increased risk for various types of gum disease, and have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight and preterm birth
- Women are more likely to experience teeth sensitivity, dental erosion due to eating disorders
- One in three women report avoiding or delaying dental care due to cost, financial burden and workload at home.
How can our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, daughters and nieces live a complete happy healthy life? Oral health is a neglected issue in our Naga society. This is a big problem. As a medical professional, I have been observing in Nagaland that the mouth and the head – Dental health and Mental health – somehow remain outside of what people think of as general health. Modern society embraces the beauty of all women regardless of shape or skin color: healthy is the new beautiful. Unfortunately, not many understand the importance of oral health and the influence it plays on women’s general well-being. Protecting your teeth might be more important than you think—and not just for aesthetic reasons like straight white teeth and a bright smile! When a woman takes proper care of her teeth it is an investment in her future—a way of maintaining the health of her body or perhaps even the health of an unborn child. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that connects oral health and general health. Gum disease is a bacterial infection and, as a result, can enter the bloodstream and cause other health issues.
- Heart disease: Gum disease increases the risk of heart disease and double’s the risk of having a fatal heart attack.
- Stroke: Studies have linked gum disease to strokes.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease and may make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Gum disease may also be a risk factor for diabetes, even in otherwise healthy individuals.
- Respiratory problems: Bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can travel to the lungs causing respiratory disease such as pneumonia - especially in people with gum disease
- Pregnancy outcomes: Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby born too early or too small. Gum disease may also trigger increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor.
Oral health is a lot more than just having a pretty smile! Oral Health for Women My clinical practice in Dimapur and the recorded number of patient visiting our clinic shows that not only are Naga women more proactive about their oral health where male to female ratio is 40:60. Congratulations dear mothers & sisters, you have a better understanding than men about what good oral health entails. However, due mostly to hormonal fluctuations at different life stages, women generally have more oral health concerns to worry about. Fluctuation in female hormones can increase the occurrence of:
- Cold sores and canker sores
- Dry mouth
- Changes in taste
- Gum disease
Women’s Oral Health at Every Life Stage Puberty: Puberty occurs in girls between ages 8 to 14. In addition to developmental changes, hormones such as estrogen, progesterone increase blood flow to the gums and can cause them to become red and swollen. Along with hormonal fluctuations, microbial changes in the mouth result in increase of destructive bacteria that can lead to more plaque, cavities, gum disease and bad breath. If your daughter is going through puberty, it’s normal for her to experience light bleeding during brushing and flossing. Encourage her to keep a good brushing and flossing routine, in order to cut down on plaque. Menstruation: Some women find that their gums swell and bleed prior to their periods, while others experience cold sores or canker sores. Many women experience dry mouth and bad breath due to a loss of saliva. These symptoms usually go away once your period starts. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, try rinsing at least once a day with a nonalcoholic mouthwash. The best time for women to schedule a dental cleaning is the week after your period. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) — swollen red gums with slight pain or discomfort are one of the most common side effects.
Pregnancy: Many pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis (Gum disease), when dental plaque builds up on the teeth and irritates the gums. Symptoms include red, inflamed and bleeding gums. Prenatal care is especially important, the best time to see the dentist is to schedule a checkup between four to six months. This is because the first three months of pregnancy are thought to be of greatest importance in your child’s development. During the last trimester (seven to nine months), stresses associated with dental visits can increase the incidence of before birth complications. Pregnant women who already have gum problems need to be extra diligent about their oral hygiene as it can worsen and turn to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease involving the jaw bones. Nutrition: If you get a sweet tooth while pregnant, we encourage you to reach for cheese, fresh fruits or vegetables, yogurt instead of cold drinks or ice cream. Eating disorder & Vomiting: Eating disorder is a very serious health issues for women. This may lead to nutritional deficiencies that affect the health and the appearance of the mouth – like pale tissue, a burning mouth and cracks at the corners of the mouth. Frequent vomiting can damage your teeth. Acid from the stomach softens teeth and can erode the enamel/teeth surface. This usually happens on the inside of the front teeth. This can cause pain and breaking of the teeth. Women who vomit frequently often have a dry mouth and swollen glands around their face. After vomiting it is best to rinse the mouth so acid cannot soften the teeth. You can use water, fluoride rinse or mix baking soda and water together which will neutralize the acid. Wait 30 minutes before brushing. If you experience a lot of nausea, tip your head forward when toothbrushing, and use a toothbrush with a small head to reduce gagging
Menopause: In menopause, estrogen levels decline rapidly, which can lead to bone loss and periodontitis (advanced gum disease). Postmenopausal women are at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that causes brittle bones and has a major impact on the jawbone supporting the teeth. If you’ve lost teeth as a result of osteoporosis or menopause, then there are options of dental treatment for tooth replacement which improves quality of life.
In conclusion, let me share my thought and understanding as why women would have more tooth decay than men and why there is an old wives’ saying that a woman loses one tooth for every child she delivers.
- Women are preparing food more than men - and snacking more, because they have access to more food. It’s when you increase carbohydrates you generally increase the incidence of dental caries/ tooth decay.
- Women would experience three factors during pregnancy and this increases the number of tooth decay and tooth loss. Three factors are, a boost in female sex hormones (Hormonal changes lead to increased risk for various types of gum disease); a reduction in the flow rate of saliva (reduced antimicrobial properties); and an increase in cravings for high-energy, sweet foods (more sweets means more risk for tooth decay).
So despite taking better care of your teeth and gums than men do, your hormones are working against you and steering you toward gum disease and bone loss. My sincere advice is to schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your gum health and how you can improve your overall health.
.JPG)
