Birth control pills can have an impact on your oral health due to the changing hormones in your body. The pills increase a woman’s inflammatory response, causing gums to be redder and swollen and to bleed more readily. It stands to reason that hormonal changes can affect your gum health, as the hormonal changes can cause inflammation of the gum tissue. However, a recent study suggests young women found these hormonal agents had no effect on gum tissues.

The best way to tell if your birth control is affecting your oral health is to get a baseline reading prior to getting on birth control. In addition, be sure to keep your hygiene in tip-top shape. Otherwise, negative side effects from poor hygiene will muddle your baseline for your birth control. Each type of oral contraceptive has different levels of hormones, so if the impact on your gum health is severe, you could try experimenting with a different one.

When was the last time your hygienist showed you how to brush and floss? Did you know that many people brush too hard and don’t floss properly? If you’re experiencing redness, swelling, or discomfort in your gums, we’re happy to help you get back to feeling normal again.

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