Impact of Oral Contraceptives on Periodontal Health: Influence of Steroid Hormones

Introduction: The oral cavity constitutes a dynamic niche susceptible to environmental and physiological changes. Alterations in its microbiome can lead to pathologies such as caries and periodontal disease, the latter being one of the main causes of tooth loss worldwide. Candida albicans has been identified as the most prevalent fungus in the oral microbiota, although detections of non-albicans species have increased in the last decade. In addition, steroid hormones such as estrogens and progesterone, present in oral contraceptives, have been shown to modulate the periodontal inflammatory response, exacerbating conditions such as gingivitis and favoring the progression of periodontal disease. Development: This work explored the impact of oral contraceptives and steroid hormones on bacterial plaque-induced gingivitis and periodontitis progression. The most recent classifications of periodontal disease, which group pathologies according to stages and grades, were addressed, allowing a better assessment of hormonal factors in their evolution. The findings supported the relationship between oral contraceptive use and increased susceptibility to gingival inflammation, especially in advanced clinical conditions. Conclusions: Steroid hormones, present in contraceptives, played an important role in modulating the oral microbiome and periodontal inflammation. Although no direct relationship was found in mild cases, in advanced stages of periodontal disease the hormonal impact was significant. These results highlight the need to monitor hormonal factors in dental treatment and to promote personalized preventive strategies.