Benefits of Saliva Hormone Testing
Is hormone testing right for you?
| Hormones & Gum Disease
Estrogen affects the mucous membranes of the body...Estrogens keep mucous membranes moist and flexible. Low estrogen levels can leave mouth tissue dry, disturb the natural pH, and leave the oral cavity more vulnerable to bacteria. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria. Women who take estrogen replacement have less gingival bleeding than women who do not.Peridontitis, or periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that destroys the gum tissue, membranes, and supporting bones of the mouth. Peridontitis has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and insulin resistance, a precursor of diabetes. Ranked in importance with other well-known risk factors such as age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and elevated triglycerides, the link between stroke and periodontal disease should not be ignored. Estrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women with peridontitis can hasten the progression of the disease. Unlike smoking, which can actually initiate the disease, low estrogen doesn't seem to be the culprit here. But once the disease has begun, sub-optimal estrogen levels can contribute to nearly twice the rate of tooth loss. Menopausal and postmenopausal women who use estrogen replacement experience considerably less gum disease, and tooth and bone loss than women who do not supplement their estrogen levels.
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