Tooth be told: Women’s Oral Health
Episode notes
We talk a lot about hormones, periods, pregnancy and menopause, but hardly ever about what they’re doing to our mouths. And yet women experience oral health very differently to men, across every stage of life.
In this episode, we’re joined by dentist and researcher Janine Tazdi-Doughty to unpack why women can brush better, floss more, and still end up with worse oral health outcomes. We explore how hormonal shifts affect gums, teeth and saliva, why pregnancy and menopause can be turning points for oral health, and how pain conditions of the jaw and mouth disproportionately affect women.
We also zoom out to look at the bigger picture: stigma, inequality, access to care, and why certain groups of women face far greater risks, from single mothers and carers to survivors of abuse, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ communities. Along the way, we tackle myths, social media trends, dental tourism, and the things women are told to just “put up with”.
If you’ve ever wondered why no one warned you about bleeding gums, dry mouth, jaw pain, or why oral health is so rarely included in conversations about women’s bodies - this episode is for you.
Further reading & listening:
NHS – Oral health: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/
NHS – Pregnancy and dental care: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/teeth-and-gums/
NIHR – Oral and dental health research: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/specialties/oral-and-dental-health.htm
Find Janine:
Crown Bank Dental – www.crownbankdental.co.uk
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/doughty_janine/