Jawed Sidra Tul Muntaha, Tul Kubra Jawed Khadeeja
Dental Department, Gulf Medical University, Dubai, ARE.
Surgical Department, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, ARE.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 3;17(6):e85270. doi: 10.7759/cureus.85270. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Sex hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, undergo continuous fluctuations throughout a woman's life, beginning at puberty and extending through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. These hormonal variations significantly influence gingival health, leading to various periodontal conditions. During puberty, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone enhance blood circulation to the gingival tissues, increasing their sensitivity to plaque and resulting in puberty gingivitis. This condition is characterized by gingival enlargement, redness, and bleeding. Throughout the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations can cause menstrual gingivitis, presenting as inflamed and bleeding gums, typically occurring prior to menstruation and subsiding thereafter. Pregnancy induces substantial hormonal changes, with heightened estrogen and progesterone levels exacerbating gingival inflammation. This often leads to pregnancy gingivitis, marked by swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gums. In some cases, a localized overgrowth known as a pyogenic granuloma or "pregnancy tumor" may develop on the gingiva. The use of oral contraceptives, which alter hormonal levels, has been associated with increased gingival inflammation and exudate, similar to the effects observed during pregnancy. Menopause brings a significant decline in estrogen levels, leading to various oral health issues such as dry mouth (xerostomia), a burning sensation in the mouth, and an increased risk of osteoporosis affecting the alveolar bone supporting the teeth. These changes contribute to a heightened susceptibility to periodontal diseases in post-menopausal women. The influence of estrogen and progesterone on the immune response, oral microbial composition, bone density, and enzymes like collagenase plays a crucial role in modulating gingival inflammation and the risk of periodontal diseases. Understanding these hormonal impacts is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for maintaining optimal gingival health in women across different life stages.
性激素，尤其是雌激素和孕激素，在女性一生中会持续波动，从青春期开始，贯穿月经周期、怀孕期和更年期。这些激素变化会显著影响牙龈健康，导致各种牙周疾病。在青春期，雌激素和孕激素水平升高会增强牙龈组织的血液循环，增加其对牙菌斑的敏感性，从而导致青春期牙龈炎。这种情况的特征是牙龈肿大、发红和出血。在整个月经周期中，激素波动会导致经期牙龈炎，表现为牙龈发炎和出血，通常在月经前出现，之后消退。怀孕会引起大量激素变化，雌激素和孕激素水平升高会加剧牙龈炎症。这通常会导致妊娠牙龈炎，其特征是牙龈肿胀、出血和触痛。在某些情况下，牙龈上可能会出现一种称为化脓性肉芽肿或“妊娠瘤”的局部增生。口服避孕药会改变激素水平，与牙龈炎症和渗出物增加有关，类似于怀孕期间观察到的影响。更年期会导致雌激素水平显著下降，引发各种口腔健康问题，如口干（口腔干燥症）、口腔烧灼感以及影响支撑牙齿的牙槽骨的骨质疏松风险增加。这些变化导致绝经后女性患牙周疾病的易感性增加。雌激素和孕激素对免疫反应、口腔微生物组成、骨密度以及胶原酶等酶的影响在调节牙龈炎症和牙周疾病风险方面起着关键作用。了解这些激素影响对于制定有效的预防和治疗策略以维持不同生命阶段女性的最佳牙龈健康至关重要。
