How Menopause Affects Oral Health – And What to Do About It

While some of these changes are well-documented and widely spoken about, there are some changes that are less well known. The impact menopause has on oral health is not widely spoken about, which means that some women don’t know what to expect, or what to look out for.

In this guide, we’re exploring how menopause affects oral health and what you can do to protect your oral health during these pivotal changes.

How does menopause impact oral health?

During the menopause, the body experiences a significant fall in oestrogen levels, which can have wide-reaching implications for the body. To start with, it can trigger dry mouth, which creates the ideal conditions for gum disease to thrive.

This fall in oestrogen can also impact bone density, which can lead to bone loss in the jaw. This can impact your teeth as it can impact the supporting structures that help to hold your teeth in place.

Other conditions that impact women during the menopause include things like burning mouth syndrome. This is thought to be linked to hormonal changes and cannot be cured, but it can be managed.

If menopause triggers gum disease and receding gums, this can lead to secondary conditions such as increased tooth sensitivity.

Finally, menopause can also alter your taste, leading to a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth.

How to support your oral health during menopause

Throughout your life, but particularly during the menopause, it’s vital to visit the dentist frequently. This will help to support your oral health by allowing your dentist to address issues with your oral health before they become more problematic.

You might need to visit the dental hygienist more regularly for deep cleanings. This can help to counteract the increased risk of gum disease due to hormonal changes. If there are issues with your teeth and gums, your dental hygienist and dentist can act quickly to prevent these from becoming more serious issues.

You can also start to take a calcium and vitamin D supplement to support your bone health. This can help to prevent bone loss associated with menopause. If you have missing teeth, it would be a good idea to address replacing these with a bridge or dental implant. This will help to keep your jaw bone active and can help to reduce the likelihood that you experience any bone density loss.

You might also want to think about making small changes to your diet. Start by ensuring that you are adequately hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration can make dry mouth much worse and might also lead you to believe you are hungry, when you’re really just thirsty.

Next, think about your sugar intake and how often you are enjoying acidic food and drink. It might be time to cut these out to help protect your oral health. Occasional treats are fine, but you shouldn’t be making sugar a regular part of your diet.

We’re here to help

If you’re concerned about how menopause or perimenopause might be impacting your oral health, get in touch with our team. We can arrange a consultation to get to the heart of the problem and provide a plan to help you manage the side effects of menopause with ease.

You don’t have to deal with these symptoms alone. With our help, you can tackle the side effects associated with menopause so you can feel confident in your oral health at every stage in your life.