Menopause is a natural biological process that every woman goes through. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and the typical age at which women experience it can be between 45 and 55 but the age at which you experience it can depend on a lot of factors like your diet, activity levels, ethnicity and several other factors. Research suggests that close to a million women go through it every year but not all of them face the same symptoms. Some of the most widely known symptoms of menopause are:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
And several others. However, most women don’t know that oral health and menopause are also connected. If you or someone you know is going through menopause, paying attention to oral health proactively can help you maintain a bright smile. Here are the most common ways menopause can impact your oral health.
Common Oral Symptoms Of Menopause
- Receding and sensitive gums: Because of the hormonal changes that your body goes through your gums can become more sensitive and these changes may also increase the chances of you getting gum disease. According to research, 51% of women feel a noticeable change in their gums and teeth over the years they’re going through menopause. That said, even when women start to notice that their gums have become more prone to infection or bleed more often, they mistakenly never attribute it to menopause.
- Xerostomia or dry mouth: When your estrogen levels decline your mouth’s natural saliva production can also take a hit. This is why having a dry mouth during menopause is a common occurrence. Saliva plays an important role since it neutralizes acids that are produced by bacteria. It also washes away food particles. You’re also more prone to gum disease and tooth decay when you have dry mouth.
- Bone loss: Estrogen is also important for excellent bone health and for the bones that support your teeth. When your estrogen levels decline so can the density of your bones. This is also called tooth loosening, problems with your jawbone or tooth loss.
- You notice changes in taste: Several women also notice a difference in the way stuff tastes to them during menopause. What this does is that people start to change their diets and increase the intake of sugary foods and liquids, which also includes acidic foods that can negatively impact dental health.
- Increased sensitivity: Increased sensitivity is a common problem women experience during menopause, too.
Other Oral Changes Menopause Can Cause
Apart from the impacts that we’ve listed above, menopause has other impacts on oral health, too. A burning mouth or a sore in this case is classified as menopausal gingivostomatitis. This causes shiny red gums and gives your mouth a burning sensation. This is also what causes a shift in taste or a metallic taste in the mouth. It’s also important to note that this problem can feel worse during certain times of the day. While it may feel bad during the day it can become unbearable in the evening. The intensity with which you experience this can vary from person to person. A burning mouth also happens when you have a dry mouth which makes oral mucosa more receptive to pain. If you’re suffering from a burning mouth you should avoid trigger foods that cause inflammatory reactions. These can be foods that contain:
- Artificial sweeteners
- Gluten
- Sugar
- Vegetable oils
Moreover, menopause also changes how your teeth are aligned. Because of the changes in estrogen, women experience issues that pertain to biting, changes in the facial structure and crowding. Several women going through menopause observe changes in the way they smile as they age. When this gum inflammation isn’t treated it can turn into periodontitis. People often confuse this as a superficial inflammation of the gums when it is, in fact, a deeper inflammation of the periodontium. At an older age, your jawbone can also start to recede due to which the teeth are no longer strongly positioned in the jaw and become loose. In old age, periodontitis becomes the most common reason people lose teeth. Since there is an increased risk of inflammation when you’re going through menopause, it is even more important to visit the dentist regularly.
How To Protect Your Teeth During Menopause
Even though menopause can cause or worsen different oral problems, there are ways you can mitigate and manage these concerns.
- Hormone replacement therapy: If the oral problems you’re facing because of menopause have gradually become serious, it would be suitable to talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of hormone replacement therapy. It carries significant benefits. It can alleviate some of the symptoms caused by menopause and balance your hormones.
- Focus on staying hydrated: Drinking adequate amounts of water can help you combat a dry mouth. You can also consider using a humidifier and chewing sugar-free bubble gum. They help stimulate the production of saliva.
- Follow a balanced diet: Apart from the various benefits a healthy diet has it can also help maintain bone density. Make sure you consume a nutrient rich diet that contains a lot of fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. Also focus on consuming foods that are rich in vitamin D and calcium.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: It’s also important to maintain oral hygiene. Floss daily, brush twice every day and use an antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of the bacteria in your mouth.
Remember: menopause is a gradual process of aging and it doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on your oral health while going through it. By staying proactive and informed on the necessary steps you need to take you can maintain healthy teeth and gums even in old age.
