Whether it is caused by perimenopause or menopause, hormone fluctuations in women over 40 can lead to various physical changes, including your oral environment. Gum sensitivity is one of the many changes you may experience, but how exactly do hormones and ageing lead to gum sensitivity?
What is Gum Sensitivity?
Gum sensitivity is a common dental condition where you have inflamed or sore gums, causing irritation, pain, and discomfort. Unlike tooth sensitivity, there is noticeable redness and swelling on your gums, and symptoms will centre around the gums. However, symptoms can make it tricky to accurately identify the source of the discomfort. In some cases, symptoms may come and go seemingly without a specific trigger.
Various factors can also exacerbate sensitive gums, such as frequently eating or drinking acidic foods or beverages, as well as smoking regularly. Sensitive gums can also result from brushing or flossing your teeth too hard, particularly if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush.
Common Causes of Gum Sensitivity
Gum sensitivity has a range of common causes that may differ from person to person.
Ageing
As we age, estrogen levels fall and our gum tissue becomes thinner. This makes our gum tissue less resistant to trauma. Gum recession is associated with harsh tooth brushing habits and gum disease, among other factors. This is why appropriate oral hygiene practices are so important. You need to brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush with the correct technique! In our 40s, this is even more important as our gums become less resistant to external insults. We should start learning good oral hygiene practices early and remain consistent with our brushing habits to delay gum recession.
Hormonal Changes
If you are a woman in your 40s, hormonal fluctuations can directly affect oral health. One crucial reproductive hormone, estrogen, is actually essential for regulating numerous bodily functions, which include gum tissue, saliva production, and even bone density. Low estrogen levels can lead to reduced blood flow to the gums, impairing their ability to heal. This increases susceptibility to inflammation and infection and increases gum sensitivity.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can also manifest various complications that cause pain, discomfort, and other issues. Gingivitis is one of the more common conditions that can cause heightened gum sensitivity. If left untreated, it can progress to a more advanced form called periodontitis, which can cause more severe symptoms as plaque spreads below the gum line. Left untreated, periodontitis can erode your jawbone and you will be at risk of losing your teeth. Unfortunately, the statistics also show that women with menopause without hormone replacement therapy are at 2.9x higher risk of suffering from periodontitis (Park et al, 2023).
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is a condition in which you involuntarily grind or clench your teeth, leading to a host of dental issues, such as toothaches, tooth loss, gum soreness, and sensitivity. This strain occurs due to constant pressure on the gums and teeth, exacerbating gum sensitivity. In the perimenopausal era, anxiety increases due to fluctuating estrogen levels. This can also indirectly exacerbate teeth grinding and increase gum sensitivity.
Prediabetes/Diabetes
Prediabetes/Diabetes is directly associated with poor gum health. Excessive sugar levels in your saliva can promote plaque and bacterial growth in your mouth. If plaque continues to thrive, it can greatly increase your risk of gum disease, gum inflammation and lead to gum sensitivity. As estrogen levels drop in your 40s, cells use insulin less effectively and blood sugar rises. This contributes to an increased risk of diabetes in your 40s.
Symptoms of Gum disease, which is the main contributor to gum sensitivity
If you notice any of the following signs, they may suggest that you have gum disease. It is best to consult a qualified dentist for a detailed assessment and further oral health support.
- Gum swelling and soreness
- Pain or discomfort when chewing or talking
- Occasional gum bleeding
- Noticeable redness
- Bad breath
- Dry mouth (low saliva production)
Treatment for Gum Sensitivity
Treating gum sensitivity depends on its root cause and may involve a combination of home remedies and professional dental care.
Lifestyle changes
There are various steps you can take to improve your dental health and reduce inflammation. The simplest approach is to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. A dentist can teach you the right brushing and flossing techniques to help keep gum sensitivity at bay.
Apart from this practice, there are other lifestyle practices to follow:
- Quitting smoking to improve blood flow to your gums and teeth.
- Stay hydrated daily to improve saliva flow
- Focus on balanced, low sugar, healthy meals.
- Take breaks in between work and other activities, as stress may also exacerbate gum sensitivity.
- Get sufficient sleep each night.
Medications/mouthwash
Certain Antiseptic rinses, gels or painkillers may be prescribed to manage gum sensitivity temporarily. These may typically be prescribed for short-term relief or to complement ongoing dental care for your sensitive gums.
Scaling and Root Planing
This will be the treatment of choice if your gum sensitivity is related to gum disease. This is a deep dental cleaning procedure in which a dentist carefully removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup along your gum line. It aims to improve your overall oral health by removing harmful bacteria that have accumulated in your gums over time. The procedure requires local anaesthesia to numb your gums, allowing dentists to carefully remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar deposits above and below the gum line.
The dentist will perform the procedure using hand scalers or ultrasonic instruments to thoroughly clean your gums. The dentist will carefully remove plaque and tartar below the gum line. From there, a root planing will smooth out the root surfaces of your teeth, preventing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from reforming below the gum line. The procedure will help reduce gum tissue inflammation and hence reduce gum sensitivity.
If you are in need of dental health support for gum sensitivity, visit our dental clinic in Singapore, An Dental today to consult our dedicated dental team.
