Dental Health Week – Puberty and Oral health

You don’t need us to tell you that there’s a lot going on in your body during puberty. But one thing you may not have given a lot of thought to is what happens to your mouth when your body starts producing all those extra sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This sends a lot more blood than normal to your gums, increasing their sensitivity to plaque, and causing them to become more easily irritated by food particles. It’s a condition you’ll hear referred to as puberty gingivitis and it’s hard to miss, leaving you with red, swollen gums that bleed more easily than usual.

This can be managed by maintaining good oral hygiene practices such as routine brushing, flossing and eating healthy foods and drinks. It is also important to attend regular dental appointments.

For more info on this topic visit http://www.dentalhealthweek.com.au/