Is it safe to have a dental cleaning during menstruation?

In general, it is usually not recommended to undergo dental scaling during menstruation.

During a woman's menstrual period, hormonal changes cause the capillary blood vessels in the gums to dilate and become more permeable. As a result, the gums tend to bleed more easily during scaling than usual. Additionally, women's clotting ability is reduced during menstruation, which may lead to increased bleeding and prolonged bleeding time during dental scaling. The immune system is relatively weaker during this period, increasing the risk of infection at the scaling wound site. Bacteria in the mouth can more easily enter the bloodstream through damaged gum tissue, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Infection may lead to symptoms such as gum swelling and pain, and in severe cases, could even cause the spread of oral inflammation. During menstruation, women may already experience discomfort such as abdominal pain and backaches; the discomfort and potential bleeding during scaling might further exacerbate these symptoms, affecting emotional well-being and quality of life.

However, if a patient develops conditions such as tartar or gingivitis during her menstrual period, dental scaling can still be performed, but warm water should be used during the procedure to avoid excessively cold or hot water, which could cause discomfort. It is recommended that women try to avoid dental scaling during their period. If scaling is necessary, it is advisable to wait 2-3 days after the completion of the menstrual period to reduce the risks of infection and bleeding. Before undergoing scaling, it is important to inform the dentist about one's physical condition so that the dentist can make an appropriate judgment and recommendation based on the actual situation.