Hormones & Dental Health - San Francisco, CA

Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining good dental health

The Role Hormones Play in Your Dental Health

Hormones are natural chemicals that regulate bodily functions. Your pituitary gland, for example, releases hormones that tell your body how fast to grow. Other hormones affect fertility or glucose levels in your blood.

As an experienced dentist, I want to educate you on the critical role hormones play in your dental health and the dangers of hormone imbalances

The hormone levels in your body are directly related to your body’s inflammatory response to disease and infection. As I’ve talked about before, inflammation is the root of all dental health problems.

Hormones & Dental Health San Francisco, CA

Common Ways Hormones Hurt Dental Health

Pregnancy Gingivitis

During pregnancy, hormone levels can become very imbalanced. This imbalance contributes to a common condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Increased hormonal levels lead to more blood flow to the gums, resulting in gums that:

  • Are swollen and tender
  • Bleed easily
  • Are more prone to infection

With early attention, pregnancy gingivitis can be treated non-invasively. But if ignored, more advanced gum disease treatments may be required.

Low Testosterone & Gum Disease

Recent studies show a clear connection between low testosterone and chronic periodontitis (gum disease). This insidious link can lead to even more serious ailments including:

  • Heart disease
  • ALS
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Osteoporosis

Adrenal Fatigue

Infection and disease place stress on the body. In response, your adrenal glands produce “stress hormones”. Over time, chronic conditions like gum disease and tooth decay can lead to adrenal fatigue. Your body is simply too overwhelmed to maintain a proper and healthy balance of hormones.

Adrenal fatigue can lead to gut issues, like leaky gut syndrome where bacteria spread more easily throughout the body. This leads to more stress, more hormonal imbalances, and more health problems.

Treating your dental health issues is key to maintaining hormonal balance and optimizing your whole body health.

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid issues affect millions of men and women. Common symptoms may include:

  • Cold sensitivity
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Unexplained weight changes

The dental health effects can be profound, including: dry mouth, swollen tongue, poor sense of taste, gum disease.