Study, 2019
Do hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect gum health?
Yes. Gums bleed more and show slightly deeper pockets during the premenstrual period compared to the preovulatory period.
What they did
100 women aged 18 to 35 had their gums checked at two times during their cycle - during the premenstrual period and during the preovulatory period. Researchers measured whether the gums bled when gently probed with a special tool and measured the depth of the spaces between teeth and gums.
What they found
Bleeding on probing was 0.51 plus or minus 0.11 in the premenstrual period compared to 0.37 plus or minus 0.08 in the preovulatory period. Probing depth was 1.82 plus or minus 0.04 millimeters in the premenstrual period and 1.79 plus or minus 0.04 millimeters in the preovulatory period. Both measures were greater before menstruation.
What it means for you
Hormone changes during your cycle affect how much your gums bleed and become inflamed. Your gums are more vulnerable in the premenstrual period. If gum problems worsen at certain times in your cycle, they may be linked to hormone changes. The study did not explain why hormones cause these changes.
100
women studied
0.51 vs 0.37
bleeding on probing score (premenstrual vs preovulatory)
1.82 vs 1.79
probing depth in millimeters (premenstrual vs preovulatory)
About the study
- Original title
- Hormonal influence on periodontal tissues during premenstrual and preovulatory periods
- Authors
- Chelluboina Meghana, Sardar Singh Maloth, Shyam Sunder Salavadhi et al.
- Journal
- IP International Journal of Periodontology and Implantology
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 100
- What was tested
- None - observational study comparing gum health measurements at two different cycle phases
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpi.2019.017