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Endometriosis isn’t just a reproductive condition, it can also cause inflammation throughout the body. Some research¹ suggests this inflammation may contribute to changes in oral health, potentially increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth sensitivity, or jaw pain.

 

The effects of endometriosis on your oral health

Tooth and gum sensitivity: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly higher levels of estrogen, are common in people with endometriosis². Rapidly changing hormone levels can make gums bleed more and be more sensitive to brushing.

Gum disease and inflammation: One of the most common oral health concerns for people with endometriosis is gum disease. The same chronic inflammation that comes with endometriosis can also make you more prone to gum issues³ like gingivitis and periodontitis. These conditions cause inflammation in the mouth, leading to swollen and bleeding gums. So, if you’ve noticed your gums bleeding when you brush or floss, it might be a sign that the inflammation is also affecting your oral health.

Jaw pain and teeth grinding: Endometriosis can cause ongoing pain and stress, which often leads to tension in the jaw. Many people with endometriosis also deal with Temporomandibular Joint⁴ (TMJ) disorders, which can cause discomfort, clicking sounds and pain when opening or closing the mouth. Teeth grinding (or bruxism) is another common issue that can wear down your tooth enamel, making your teeth sensitive and even causing cracks or breaks.

Dry mouth: The medications often used to manage endometriosis, like painkillers and hormonal treatments, can sometimes cause dry mouth. Saliva plays a big role in protecting your teeth by neutralising acids and preventing decay. So, when there’s less saliva, it can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

Increased risk of Sjögren’s syndrome: Research suggests that people with endometriosis may have a higher risk of developing Sjögren’s syndrome⁵, an autoimmune condition that affects moisture-producing glands in the body. This can lead to severe dry mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and oral discomfort. If you have endometriosis and experience persistent dry mouth, it’s important to let your dentist know so they can help manage your symptoms and protect your oral health.

 

Minimise the effects of endometriosis on your oral health

90% of Australian women know hormones can impact dental health, yet over 7 million skip regular dental checkups*

 

While endometriosis is a complex condition, maintaining good oral health can help reduce the risk of further complications.

• Regular dental visits: these are key to keeping gum disease and tooth decay away. Your dentist can spot early signs of gingivitis or cavities and offer treatments like professional cleanings and fluoride treatments to protect your teeth.
• Protective mouthguards: if you’re dealing with jaw pain or teeth grinding, your dentist can assess your condition and recommend a custom mouthguard to prevent further damage. Nightguards can help protect your teeth from bruxism and relieve pressure on your jaw.
• Saliva stimulation: your dentist can recommend a saliva-stimulating diet or treatments and suggest products like mouthwashes designed for dry mouth to keep your mouth moist.
• A gentler oral care routine: if you’re dealing with sensitivity or inflammation, your dentist can suggest a gentler oral care routine and recommend products designed for sensitive teeth and gums, so you can maintain a healthy smile without discomfort.

If you have endometriosis and notice changes in your oral health, it’s important not to ignore the signs. With the right care and attention, many of the oral health issues linked to endometriosis can be managed or even prevented.

 

Regular check-ups to keep on top of your oral health

At nib Dental, we understand life can be busy, so we offer flexible hours – early, late, and on weekends – to fit around your schedule. With our easy online booking tool, you can secure your appointment in under two minutes, anytime, anywhere. We’re here to make it simple for you to prioritise your oral health.

If you notice any changes in your gums, teeth, or jaw or it’s been a while since your last check-up, book an appointment. Your dentist will work with you to create a personalised plan to keep on top of your oral health.

 

 

*Are Media Healthonomics Dental Health Survey 2024, women aged 25-54

¹Towards a Common Etiopathogenesis: Periodontal Disease and Endometriosis

²Endometriosis

³Towards a Common Etiopathogenesis: Periodontal Disease and Endometriosis

⁴Endometriosis and the Temporomandibular Joint—Preliminary Observations

⁵Association of endometriosis with Sjögren’s syndrome: Genetic insights (Review)

With another season of sports kicking off, now’s the perfect time to check if your footy boots and shorts still fit, but don’t forget to check your or your child’s mouthguard too! Wearing a mouthguard during sport helps protect your face, mouth and jaw from accidental trauma.

 

Do all sports require a mouthguard to be worn?

Mouthguards are compulsory for AFL, hockey, boxing, rugby union and rugby league. However, they are recommended for most other sports where there is risk of direct contact to the face such as soccer and martial arts.

 

In our recent Are Media Healthonomics survey we found that while 20% of respondents know that mouthguards are recommended for soccer, only 14% of those that play soccer actually wear one*.

Not all contact sports require mouthguards, but some clubs enforce strict rules to minimise the risk of dental injuries during play. These clubs implement the ‘no mouthguard, no play’ mouthguard policy, developed by the Australian Dental Association and Sports Medicine Australia.

With dental trauma rates as high as 41% in basketball^ and over a third of rugby players^ experiencing injuries, a custom-fit mouthguard is an essential protection for your smile. 

 

Why do I need a mouthguard from the dentist?

Mouthguards from pharmacies or sports stores (‘boil and bite’ types) often feel bulky, fit poorly, and make it harder to talk. While they may be cheaper, they don’t offer the same level of protection for your only set of permanent teeth.

For the best protection, mouthguards should be custom-made and professionally fitted by your dentist. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth to create a mouthguard that fits securely and comfortably around each tooth, providing superior protection for your smile.

 

What are the benefits of a custom-made mouthguard?

• Provides maximum protection by cushioning teeth, jaws and surrounding soft tissue against impact, absorbing and distributing the force of a hit to the mouth.

• Protects individual teeth and reduces the likelihood of teeth being knocked out.

• Helps prevent soft tissue injuries by covering the teeth, reducing the risk of cuts or damage to the lips, tongue, and inner cheeks.

• A comfortable custom fit helps custom mouthguards stay in place, allowing athletes to speak and breathe more easily.

• Helps lower the chance of bone fractures and concussions during impact.

 

Looking after your custom-made mouthguard

Rinse your mouthguard with cold water after each use and store it in the provided case, away from direct heat. Check your mouthguard regularly for signs of wear or damage to ensure it continues to provide full protection.

 

When does my mouthguard need replacing?

Our recent Are Media Healthonomics survey found that, 50% of respondents didn’t know a mouthguard should be replaced every 12 months or sooner if damaged*.

For children, regular fit checks are essential, especially as they lose baby teeth, gain adult teeth and their jaw structure changes. Because of this, kids often need a new mouthguard each season. Your dentist can assess your child’s mouthguard at their regular six-month check-up.

 

Don’t leave your teeth at risk, protect your smile this season. We’ve made it easier for you to find your nearest nib Dental for a custom mouthguard fittings. Find your nearest centre and book an appointment today.

 

 

 

*Are Media Healthonomics Dental Survey 2025, women aged 25-54

^Dental Traumatology – 2024 – Lima – Comparative analysis of dental trauma in contact and non‐contact sports: A systematic review. Dental Traumatology – 2020 – Tewari – Global status of knowledge for prevention and emergency management of traumatic dental injuries in sports persons and coaches: A systematic review 

Many of us start the new year with good intentions to improve our oral health, but how can we turn those resolutions into lasting habits? Focusing on our teeth and gums is a great place to start. Research shows that good oral health not only boosts our overall wellbeing but also helps us feel confident around others¹.

Caring for our mouth, teeth and gums doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, but consistency is key. Like any resolution, the challenge isn’t getting started, it’s sticking with it day after day. Here are five ways you can continue your oral health habits throughout the year.

 

1. Brush your teeth and gums for at least 2 minutes twice each day. Pick a time to brush and set a reminder if you need it.
2. Floss daily. Place your floss near your toothbrush where you can see it, to help you remember to do both.
3. Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks. Read food and beverage labels when you purchase. Planning and preparing food ahead of time can help you avoid unhealthy snacks. Remember, water is the best drink for your mouth and to stay hydrated.
4. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner, if the bristles are worn out or you’ve recently been sick. You may like to keep an extra toothbrush or electric toothbrush head on hand for when you need it, especially if you forget to add it to your shipping list.
5. Visit your dentist at least once a year for check-ups and cleanings, preferably every 6 months. Set a reminder, or even better, at the end of each appointment, book your next one. Don’t worry if this is 6 or 12 months away, we’ll remind you when your appointments are coming up.

 

Tips to keep a routine

Creating a routine starts with setting cues that remind you to take action. Pairing your oral health habits with something enjoyable – like the refreshing feeling after brushing – can make them easier to stick with. Positive reinforcement, such as compliments from your dentist during check-ups, also helps reinforce good habits².

If you miss a day or fall short of your goals, don’t be too hard on yourself. Building new habits takes time and consistency matters more than perfection. Repetition strengthens behaviours until they become second nature.

 

Building a relationship with your dentist.

Your dentist will work in partnership with you to optimise your oral health and boost your general sense of wellbeing. Ask your dentist what you can do at home to reduce the likelihood of dental problems. Book an appointment today to discuss your oral health.

 

 

¹ https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health#tab=tab_1

²https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/creating-healthy-habits

Even if you brush and floss daily, you might still notice your teeth appearing slightly yellow. Tooth discolouration can be caused by extrinsic stains (on the tooth’s outer surface) or intrinsic stains (inside the tooth). So, what causes your teeth to appear discoloured?

 

Factors that may cause tooth discolouring

Foods and drinks – Some foods and drinks can contribute to staining. Coffee, tea, red wine, cola and fruit juices contain strong colour pigments called chromogens that can darken your tooth enamel. Plus, foods like tomato-based sauces, curries, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, berries and beetroot can also leave the appearance of stains.

Nutrition – A lack of essential nutrients, like calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus can affect both the health and appearance of your teeth.

Environment and lifestyle – Smoking or vaping exposes teeth to tar and nicotine, which can cause yellowing.

Stress and hormonal changes – Chronic stress can reduce saliva production (which helps protect your teeth), increase inflammation and weaken oral health, leading to yellowing. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can also impact tooth colour by altering enamel mineralisation.

 

Some factors which affect the colour of your teeth out of our control, including:

• Medications and treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy or long-term steroid use.
• Dental trauma or injuries that may cause the tooth to produce more dentin for protection, making it look darker.
• As we get older, the protective white enamel on teeth can naturally thin out, allowing the darker dentin underneath to show through, making teeth appear darker.
• Sometimes, tooth colour is simply genetic. You might have thicker or more translucent enamel, which influences how yellow or white your teeth appear.

 

Professional scale and cleans

Dentists recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year combined with regular dental check-ups, to remove plaque and tartar that brushing cannot eliminate.

 

Teeth whitening

While a professional cleaning can help reduce some discolouration, teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that can brighten your smile. Your dentist will be able to determine if teeth whitening is a suitable option for you.

 

 

Having slightly yellow teeth doesn’t mean you’re not taking care of your oral health. If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth or notice sudden changes, it’s best to book an appointment and speak to your dentist. They can explore the cause and recommend preventative measures, products or treatments to help reduce staining.

 

 

 

¹Calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus fact sheet. Dental Health Services Victoria, dhsv.org.au