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You signed up to receive this oral health newsletter when you visited the AAP's Web site. We hope that the information you receive will prompt you to have a discussion with your periodontist or dental health care provider about the treatment needed to improve your overall health. |
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| ATTENTION WOMEN: Have you heard the latest news about your unique oral health care needs? Clinical researchers are making strides in discovering how periodontal diseases affect women's overall health at various stages of life. Recent issues of the Journal of Periodontology published findings that can help you safeguard your health. Following is a brief overview of some of these studies:
 Pregnancy Complication Associated with Periodontal Disease
A January 2005 study reported that periodontal inflammation plays a possible role in the development of preeclampsia, a potentially deadly condition that affects approximately 5 percent of U.S. pregnancies. Researchers found that periodontal disease was more severe in the preeclamptic patients, which suggests an interaction between periodontal disease and pregnancy. In fact, the protein levels, known as cytokines were nearly three times greater in the preeclamptic group than the healthy group.
View the AAP news release about this study.
Menstrual Cycle Affects Periodontal Health
Researchers found that many women reported an increase in gingival inflammation and discomfort associated with their menstrual cycle. This is the first time this well-known phenomenon has been studied. Symptoms included a slight burning sensation, bleeding with minor irritation, redness to the gums, oral ulcers and general pain and discomfort in the gums. Further studies will be required to examine whether these symptoms will have lasting negative effects. In the meantime, women should tell their dental professionals about any changes taking place in the mouth or body. This includes taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications. This way he or she can explain any effects it may have on periodontal health.
View the AAP news release about this study.
Infertility Treatment and Oral Health
Researchers found that women undergoing ovulation induction for infertility treatment for more than three menstrual cycles experience higher gingival inflammation, bleeding and gingival crevicular fluid. (This fluid contains enzymes and tissue products that are potential markers for the progression of periodontitis.) These effects are presumably associated with increased levels of progesterone and estrogen. Several studies also provided evidence that the presence of infection is associated with unsuccessful embryo development and implantation failure in in vitro fertilization patients.
Since periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection, future studies may one day determine the effects of periodontal status and periodontal treatment on the outcome of infertility treatment.
View the AAP news release about this study.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this newsletter should not be used as a substitute for the care and advice of your personal periodontist or dental professional. Each individual's treatment is unique and your periodontist will recommend treatment based on individual facts and circumstances.
ABOUT THE AAP: The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000 member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
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During puberty, a girl's gums often become swollen, turn red and feel tender.
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During menopause, women may experience a gum condition called gingivostomatitis.
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