Although I don't have any cavities yet, I found it strange to learn that my gender is more likely to get cavities than males according to an article I read: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27200689/. Unfortunately, although keeping up with proper dental care helps, women's hormones play a pretty large and unavoidable role in the condition of our teeth.
For the most part, anthropology research shows that when societies changed from hunter gathering to agriculture it caused a negative spin on nutrition and health, including dental health. This was supposedly because people stopped obtaining an array of essential dietary nutrients, and became dependant on fewer crops. Anthropologists researched that women's poor dental health also had to do with culture aspects and "women's roles" such as cooking, that usually comes along with the occasional bite here and there.
Although these views made sense and aren't wrong, there's more to it. John Lukacs, an anthropologist at the University of Oregon decided to take a bigger look and did a lot of researching on why there was such a dramatic increase in cavities as societies became agricultural. He presented clinical evidence of how the biological factors of higher pregnancy rates in agricultural societies affects dental health.
The evidence concluded that the high estrogen levels in pregnant women have negative side effects on the condition of our teeth. For example, when a women is pregnant they generate less saliva than usual, and the little saliva that is produced can't fight to its potential against acidic bacteria that cause our teeth to deteriorate. Eating more often and bigger amounts when a women is pregnant also causes more of an "acid challenge for teeth" since more food and bacteria is being put in their mouth. Also due to hormonal changes in a pregnancy, women have cravings for more high energy, high sugar foods which we all know are more likely to cause cavities.
Although this is unfortunate news, considering the hormone factor of women is inevitable and isn't going to change, all we can do is be sure to always maintain proper dental hygiene. This way we can prevent all problems with our teeth or we'll at least have fewer problems than if we failed to sustain essential dental upkeep. To find out exactly how to take appropriate care of your teeth go to: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/hygiene/.
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6 comments:
It is so weird how women differ from men in so many ways...I never thought that one could be our teeth! I take pretty good care of mine, floss, rinse brush, go to the dentist every 6 months and still I seem to have a cavity every time I go! Now I know that it is not completely my fault..although I am not pregnant...still just one more thing to blame on hormones!
It's so strange how things like this are true, I would have never guessed that this was even possible. I guess all you can do try and keep up with the dentist and stay on top of the situation.
this is def something i would have never guessed. i would never even think that women are more likely to get cavities is true. it just shows you that men and women can differ in many ways that wwe wouldnt imagine.
Interesting topic. Its strange to think that women and men are different when it comes to dental hygiene. I have the same problem as Cathleen I seem to have a cavity no matter how good I thought I had done the previous 6 months. Great job!
This is an interesting article, I never would've known that women are more prone to cavities. Even if I heard it I wouldn't have understood why. Your blog shows that the estrogen levels in women are what contribute to cavities. This is something that women can't control so we need to make sure that we brush our teeth very well. When I get pregnant I will be sure to brush my teeth like five times a day to avoid cavities.
I guess some people just dont realize how different males and females really are. I would have never guessed that we would have difference's such as these. personally i haven't ever had a cavity and i hope to keep it that way.
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