Is it OK to visit the dentist while you are on your period?

Oh no it’s THAT time of the month

You are on your period, everything that is currently happening to your female body sucks, and you are in dire need of a dentist visit. But wait! What if we tell you that it is not advisable for you to visit the dentist while you are menstruating

You have to be extra careful with your teeth when you are on your period, here’s why:

When you are on your period, unstable hormones are at fault for a lot of discomfort such as bloating, body aches, cramps, emotional ups and downs, all the things that we women are used to. But did you know? Our period can affect our teeth too!

Our teeth are prone to more build-up plaque, redness, and swelling of the gums which might make our teeth even more sensitive than it is. Some women even develop temporary gingivitis from their periods.

So when can you visit the dentist?

Let us help you put it in a simple way, here are the best time for:-

Cleaning & Scaling: The week after your period

As mentioned before, because of the increase in estrogen hormones during menstruation, some women develop gingivitis and experience swelling and inflammation. So cleaning your teeth and gums can be more painful. To add, because of the swelling of gums, it is harder to reach your inner gum pockets for a thorough cleaning.

Tooth extraction, Cavity filling, Root canal, & other dental procedures: Days right after your period

Waiting too long to get it done will also cause you more harm. Scheduling these dental treatments right after you stop having your period is the best way to go because that is when your hormone levels are the lowest and your gums are the least sensitive.

Be very careful & thorough with your oral care

Dental experts suggest that women should be extra careful with their oral care while they are on their period. If you poke your gums while brushing your teeth or if your floss absent-mindedly, you can cut yourself and have painful bleeding gums.

So the best time to be thorough with your oral care is during the whole month when you are not menstruating, especially the week and days before your period starts.