The Impact of Menopause on Oral Health
Hot flashes and mood changes are some of the most common and well-documented symptoms of menopause. A lesser-explored symptom is the impact that it has on oral health. From teeth sensitivity to painful gums, understanding the symptoms that menopause causes on oral health is crucial for comprehensive well-being.
This article explores how menopause can influence oral health, shedding light on the importance of tailored dental care during this pivotal stage of a woman’s life.
How Menopause Impacts Oral Health
Before we get into the impact menopause has on oral health, we first must understand what menopause is.
Menopause refers to the changes in a woman’s body when she stops producing eggs, marking the natural end of the reproductive cycle. When this happens, it also slows the production of hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone. Due to the change in hormone production, menopausal women can experience significant changes in their body and mouth.
There are three different stages of menopause:
- Perimenopause: This is the lead-up to menopausal changes. During this stage, hormonal production slows, and the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. A common symptom of this stage of menopause is hot flushes.
- Menopause: This is the stage where your body stops producing hormones and your body stops having periods. Once a woman hasn’t had a period for 12 months, she has entered the post-menopausal stage.
- Post-menopause: This stage is when you’ll never have a period again.
Now we know what menopause is and the different stages, how does it impact your oral health?
Dryness of The Mouth
Menopause can cause dryness in many body parts, including the mouth.
When your mouth becomes dry, it produces less saliva to clean the mouth and break down foods. When this happens, it can lead to plaque buildup, as saliva is responsible for cleaning the mouth after eating and drinking.
One of the best ways to remedy dryness of the mouth is to drink lots of water and use water to rinse your mouth after eating.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Have you ever felt the fuzzy feeling on your tongue or the roof of your mouth after sipping a drink that’s too hot? Well, when you go through menopause, you may experience this feeling without actually burning your mouth.
This is known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS), which causes burning, pain and tenderness in and around your mouth, including your tongue, lips and cheeks.
Gum Inflammation
Another menopausal symptom that women experience is inflammation, swelling and bleeding of the gums.
When the body’s oestrogen levels decrease, it can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. This can lead to bad breath and pain while eating. You may also notice that your gums change colour, either becoming really pale or a very dark red.
Loose Teeth
During menopause, another common symptom is thinning of the bones. When this happens, the bones lose their mineral density and decrease in size. Since your teeth are situated in your jawbone, the thinning of the bones can often cause your teeth to loosen and even fall out.
Altered Tastes
Changes in your hormones during menopause can also change how food tastes in your mouth. For example, you may have used to love eating salty foods, but since going through menopause, you can’t stand salty food.
This is also common when eating spicy, peppery or sour foods. Another symptom is that food tastes unusually bitter or metallic.
How To Minimise The Impact of Menopause on Oral Health
As mentioned above, menopause can have various effects on oral health due to hormonal changes. To minimise the impact of menopause on oral health, consider the following tips:
Regular Dentist Checkups
Even without going through menopause, seeing your dentist every six months is recommended. However, it’s especially important when experiencing menopause. During these regular checkups, your dentist can identify early signs of problems and recommend appropriate treatments.
Brush Your Teeth Daily
Brushing your teeth is important any day of the year, but it’s even more important when you’re going through menopause, as the dryness of the mouth can reduce its natural cleaning ability. Make sure to brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss, or use interdental brushes once daily to remove plaque and food between your teeth. Maintaining your oral hygiene while going through menopause is essential in the prevention of gum disease.
Rinse Your Mouth After a Meal
As mentioned above, dryness of the mouth can make it harder for your mouth to clean itself naturally. Therefore, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth after eating a meal to reduce the buildup of plaque.
Go Sugar-Free
Sugar is one of the worst foods for you to eat as it promotes the development of bacteria and plaque. When you’re going through menopause, you should try to avoid sugar as much as possible to alleviate symptoms of dry mouth.
Keep a Balanced Diet
There is more and more evidence lately on the link between the gut and oral health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating a healthy diet has never been more important to supporting your oral health. Key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D are absorbed more efficiently in a health gut. Vitamin D and calcium are important for strong teeth and bone health. Vitamin A aids in saliva production. A compromised gut can lead to poor absorption of these and other vitamins vital in maintaining a healthier you.
Treatments Available
If you’re experiencing menopause-related tooth changes that are significantly affecting your quality of life, book an appointment with your dentist or doctor.
While there are things you can do to mitigate the symptoms of mouth pain throughout menopause, there aren’t many treatment options available. However, one of the more common treatment options is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It’s important to keep in mind that hormone replacement therapy isn’t an option for everyone due to the possibility of serious side effects, such as blood clots.
A study conducted in the United States found that women who underwent hormone replacement therapy during menopause had a 24% lower risk of tooth loss than non-users. Another study of 492 postmenopausal women compared those who received HRT or supplements to those who received no treatment. Research from the study found that those who received oestrogen treatments had a significantly lower risk of developing periodontitis.
While hormone replacement therapy is effective, previous research has concluded that it doesn’t necessarily mean it will prevent or help women with their menopause-related oral symptoms.
Book An Appointment with Admire Dentistry
Menopause causes several changes in the female body, and that includes the mouth. From sensitive teeth to burning mouth syndrome and even altered tastes, the changes menopause can have on your mouth can significantly affect your way of life.
Through regular dental check-ups, your dentist can look for signs of menopause and suggest treatment options to suit you. Don’t let menopause compromise your dental well-being – take the first step towards a healthier smile by booking an appointment at Admire Dentistry.
