Vagina Museum
We don't know who needs to hear it today but...
✨It's perfectly normal for your teeth and mouth to hurt before and during your period✨
It's not a well-known symptom, but a lot of people experience it. Here's why...
Dec 5, 2022 at 2:02pmWeb
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
The menstrual cycle affects the entire body. Changes in hormones can cause changes to tissues all over the body, and that includes the mouth. Progesterone levels affect the gums - this is called menstruation gingivitis.
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
Just before your period, the gums can become inflamed. This might cause symptoms such as gums looking bright red and bleeding gums, which can cause toothache symptoms. Some people also experience swollen salivary glands, or increased mouth ulcers. The overall effect can be a very sore mouth.
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
Other hormone changes can also cause oral symptoms like this, especially puberty and pregnancy.
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
Understanding the changes in your gums throughout your cycle is helpful in managing the problem. Try to schedule appointments with the dentist or hygienist in other points of your cycle, which will help avoid procedures being done at a time when your gums are more likely to be inflamed and bleed more.
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
It's also important to try to maintain good oral hygiene practices even when your poor swollen mouth is sore. Try to brush twice a day and floss at least once. This protects overall oral health, which is important!
Show threadVagina MuseumDec 5, 2022
Although menstruation gingivitis is fairly common, a lot of dentists don't know about it, because it's not always taught at dental school. But it's real, and you're not imagining your mouth feeling terrible once a month!
Show threadLiz Ellis She/Her🌳Dec 5, 2022
@vagina_museum Is this gingivitis you get because YOU'RE on your period, or because your PARTNER is?
Show threadAgent Joséphine BakerApr 4, 2023
@vagina_museum my dentist (woman) did not know and would not accept
Show threadEmma Byrne PhDJan 12, 2024
@vagina_museum so glad to hear that this is indeed a thing. I'd noticed the correlation but knowing it's a known phenomenon is reassuring
Show threadAgaposteMom (She/Her)Dec 5, 2022

@vagina_museum

Menopause as well

Show threadM-brace The ChangeDec 12, 2022
@vagina_museum ...and menopause 😊 We have loads of people in our #menopause support groups with oral health concerns due to the onset of #perimenopause...
Show threadDr. Zalka Csenge VirágDec 5, 2022
@vagina_museum I learned this from my dentist. Since then, I schedule dental appointments around it...
Show threadDarcyDec 5, 2022
@vagina_museum I wish any of the myriad of medical professionals I visited as a teen with a mouth full of canker sores each month had known about this. Not only was I in so much pain I was unable to talk, i felt like a freak because no one could explain or treat it.
Show threadAnnelies Z. Kamran, Ph.D.Dec 5, 2022
@vagina_museum so glad my (female) dentist knew about this! Wish my male dentist I had growing up had known.
Show threadMolly in MissouriDec 5, 2022
@vagina_museum wait. what?
What if I am now in that point of my life where I am always on the verge of having a period but may never have one again?
Because my teeth and mouth have been hurting and I thought I was doing something wrong!
#Perimenopause is a very real phase.
So. Very. Real.
Show threadSarah WJan 12, 2024
@vagina_museum
Thanks for this info, I didn't know. This may explain why my gums have stopped bleeding since the menopause. I never made the connection at the time.
Another advantage to getting old, yay!