Common Causes And Risk Factors For Gingivitis

Hormonal Changes

An individual undergoing hormonal changes is at an increased risk of developing gingivitis. Women experience unique hormonal changes that make them especially susceptible to oral health problems. Fluctuations in hormones can cause individuals to have changes in the blood supply to the tissues of the gums. Hormonal fluctuations also alter the way an affected individual's body responds to the toxins released by the bacteria that live in the plaque on the teeth. When a female hits puberty, the production of progesterone and estrogen skyrockets, producing changes in the gum tissues. During menstruation every month, a woman experiences an increase in progesterone that can cause their salivary glands to operate differently. A female who uses birth control pills is more susceptible to gum disease because of the extra progesterone they are putting into their bodies. Females who are pregnant or going through menopause are also at an increased risk because of fluctuations in hormones.