Women’s Articles

Women’s Articles


Estrogen is not a Factor in Jaw Disorders

CHICAGO-Women on birth control pills and older women taking estrogen replacements are not at increased risk of developing temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), a condition affecting the jaw muscles and jaw joint, according to a new study.


From the initial consultation
to post-procedure care,

we are here to support you
every step of the way.

TMDs are about two-to-five-times greater in women than in men, a statistic that has long puzzled dental clinicians and researchers. Symptoms can include pain in the face or jaw-joint area; limited mouth opening; jaws that “lock” or “go out”; clicking or popping sounds of the jaw joint; and other complaints, including headaches, earaches and dizziness.

Our team is ready to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Results of the study are published in the March issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.

Since women are much more likely to suffer TMDs, the study looked at whether sex hormones play some role in the condition.

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, studied 510 women, ages 37-82 and divided them into an estrogen-user group and a control group.

Signs and symptoms of jaw disorders were identified during clinical examination using the Craniomandibular Index (CMI), which quantifies pain and dysfunction. Results indicate the muscle and joint symptoms were not significantly different between the control group and those women taking estrogen.


A woman’s hormonal balance changes during her lifetime, which affects her dental health. As she bears children, her pregnant condition also has an impact on her dental health. We understand the chemical interplay and can help diagnose and treat gum disease in women. Call us to schedule a consultation today.

Lead researcher John P. Hatch, Ph.D., speculates that experts may have mistakenly believed a clinical link existed between estrogen use and TMDs when in fact it may have been a coincidence attributable to patient demographics. In other words, the women who aggressively seek treatment for TMDs are the same type of informed health consumers who request the pill or estrogen replacement therapy.

“Our results clearly demonstrate that demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and health care variables distinguish women who are taking estrogens from those who are not,” Dr. Hatch points out.

For those suffering from TMD, treatments vary based on individual diagnosis. According to the American Dental Association, dentists may recommend a treatment involving a step-by-step plan to determine if only minor corrective treatment is needed.

We are committed to delivering

Excellence in Dental Care

Trust our expert team to
help you achieve a smile
that reflects your true self

Excellence and Expertise

With dental implants, you can restore your smile, regain your confidence, and enjoy all the benefits of having strong, healthy teeth.

If pain and other symptoms persist, dentists may advise the following:

  • Apply moist heat or take prescription medication such as muscle relaxants, analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs to try to eliminate muscle spasm and pain.
  • Wear bite plates to reduce harmful effects of clenching or grinding the teeth.
  • Use relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw. To help eliminate stress, tooth grinding or clenching, dentists may also suggest counseling.
  • Lastly, when other treatments prove unsuccessful, jaw joint surgery may be recommended.

This research was supported in part by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Note: Although the study referenced above appears in The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), it does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the American Dental Association (ADA).

Women’s Dental Health Issues

Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal (gum) disease due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Research has found that women with periodontal disease may be at higher risk for delivering pre-term, low birth weight (PLBW) infants. What effects can periodontal disease have on my pregnancy?

If you are pregnant, the hormonal changes you are undergoing will make you particularly prone to periodontal disease. And, according to research findings, if you have periodontal disease and you are pregnant, you may be at higher risk of delivering a pre-term low-birth-weight infant, that is, an infant born before the 37th week of pregnancy.

For several years, the link between infection particularly genitourinary tract infection and the delivery of pre-term low-birth-weight infants has been the subject of research. Based on the findings of this research, it appears that genitourinary tract infection causes a rapid increase in the levels of biological fluids that normally induce labor. This rapid increase leads to premature delivery. Researchers suspect that periodontal disease, which is also a bacterial infection, could trigger a similar increase in these fluid levels, thereby inducing premature labor. Scientists have documented an association between infection, especially genitourinary tract infection, and adverse outcomes of pregnancy in both animal and human studies. A recent study of periodontal infection in pregnant and postpartum women found that the likelihood of delivering a pre-term low-birth-weight infant was greater in women with periodontal disease than in those without periodontal disease. These intriguing results have prompted medical professionals to urge that additional investigations be done in this area. No known risk factor such as tobacco use, genetics, drug and alcohol use, level of prenatal care, nutrition and urinary tract infection is identified for 25% of deliveries of pre-term low-birth-weight infants. It is important to know how much periodontal disease contributes to the unexplained risk of delivery of pre-term low-birth-weight infants. Several studies are underway to assess this link. Dr. Zablotsky can provide you with updated findings in all these areas as they may affect you. He wants you to be aware of the general health risks linked to your periodontal disease.

What should I do?

Obviously, if you are pregnant, it is important that you provide us with this information at your next appointment. Following a careful assessment of your status, we will discuss how best to control any problems you are experiencing.

Never again suffer from the use of dentures, or the pain and embarrassment of missing teeth. Ever!

Women and Periodontal Disease: What you should know

What is gum disease?

Bacteria and toxins in dental plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth, causes gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease affects the gums as well as the supporting structures of the teeth. Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, usually causes the gums to be tender, swell, turn red and bleed easily. The bleeding and swelling sometimes are visible only to your dentist. You put yourself at risk for gum disease if you are not diligent in your home regimen of oral care brushing and flossing plus regular visits to your dentist. Your gums can become sensitive, sometimes reacting strongly to the hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout your lifetime. And these same fluctuations may make you more susceptible to gum disease or make existing gum disease worse. If left untreated, gum disease can progress to a more serious stage that damages or destroys the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth. With continued neglect to seek treatment, your teeth will eventually loosen and may be lost.

Why do women have unique oral health needs?

The Teen-Age Years

Your Monthly Cycle

Pregnancy and your oral health

If you are taking oral contraceptives

As you make the transition through these various phases of your life cycle, always remember the importance of oral health to your overall health and well-being. Then, greet each new day and each new change with a bright, healthy smile.

CHECK OUR

Patient reviews

“Very knowledgeable and friendly staff…”