What Your Mouth Can Tell You About Your Hormone Health

Oral Health and Endocrine Disorders

As dental hygienists, we are trained to look beyond teeth and gums and consider the whole body. One of the most important oral–systemic connections exists between oral health and the endocrine system. Hormones influence inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and bone health. These are factors that directly affect the oral cavity. When endocrine disorders are present, the mouth often shows early and visible signs.

How Endocrine Disorders Affect Oral Health

Endocrine disorders occur when glands such as the pancreas, thyroid, or adrenal glands produce too much or too little of a hormone. One well-known example is diabetes mellitus, which affects how the body uses blood sugar. People living with diabetes have a higher risk of gum disease, dry mouth, slow healing, and oral infections. In fact, periodontal disease is more common and can be harder to control in someone with diabetes, especially if blood sugar isn’t well managed. 

Another common endocrine condition is thyroid disease (either underactive or overactive thyroid). Thyroid imbalances can lead to changes in taste, dry mouth, delayed tooth eruption in children, swelling of the tongue, and higher risk of periodontal inflammation or cavities. 

Less common endocrine issues,  such as parathyroid disorders,  can also affect your oral tissues by altering bone metabolism, which may show up as loss of jawbone density or changes in how your teeth are supported.

The bottom line? Hormones influence your entire body, including your mouth too.

What Are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?

You may hear a lot about “toxins” in everyday life, but Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) have a specific meaning: these are substances that can interfere with your hormones by mimicking or blocking their normal actions. They are found in everyday products, plastics, pesticides, personal care items, and even some canned food linings. Research suggests EDCs like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates may be linked to increased risk of hormone-related conditions such as diabetes and metabolic imbalance. 

Tips to Reduce Everyday Exposure to EDCs

While it’s impossible to avoid all EDCs, here are simple steps to reduce your daily exposure:

1. Use glass or stainless-steel containers instead of plastic for food and water
2. Avoid heating food in plastic
3. Choose unscented or naturally scented personal care products
4. Look for BPA-free labels, and understand that even “BPA-free” items may contain similar chemicals
5. Being mindful of these exposures supports not just hormone health, but overall wellness.

Questions You Can Ask Your Dental Hygienist

If you’re living with an endocrine condition, here are takeaway questions to help you connect your medical and oral health:

1. How might my specific endocrine disorder affect my gum health or risk for cavities?
2. What changes should I watch for in my mouth that might relate to my hormone imbalance?
3. Are there specific home care tips or products that can help manage dry mouth or gum inflammation?
4. How often should I schedule dental hygiene visits (dental cleanings) given my condition?
5. Could my medications or exposures to certain chemicals affect my oral health? 

Download a printable version of these discussion points to take into your next dental hygiene visit:

Endocrine Condition- Patient Resource

Your Mouth Matters

Your smile is more than teeth,  it’s a reflection of your whole-body health. At the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists, we’re here to help dental hygienists assist you in understanding those connections, ask the right questions, and get the care you deserve.

For more information, visit www.healthcarehygienists.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colette Murray, RDH, CH-OSE

[email protected]

Colette has been an RDH for 22 years, with the last decade as an Independent Practitioner and mobile practice owner. Being an Oral Systemic Educator allows her to bring in knowledge and understanding of the bidirectional nature of oral systemic health to further help her clients in the eldercare medical communities where she works. She has a passion for leadership and strives to be a positive mentor for her colleagues. She has over two decades of varied professional experience and endeavors to leverage that for the benefit of other providers in the dental industry. Special projects and collaboration are what keep her going, inspire and invigorate her. She has lead and participated in several successful initiatives and found it to be a great way to add value to her professional life.

References:

1. Oral manifestations of endocrine dysfunction may appear in dental exams and can be early clues to systemic disease. (PubMed)
2. Thyroid disorders influence oral tissues, including periodontal health and taste changes. (PubMed)
3. Endocrine disrupting chemicals interfere with hormones and are found in everyday products. (NCBI)