Did You Know Menopause Can Affect Your Oral Health? Most Brits have no Idea

Menopause affects women’s bodies in many ways, and awareness of more than hot flashes and night sweats is growing.

But many of us don’t realize how far-reaching the effects of lifestyle change can be, reinforcing misconceptions and leaving women unprepared.

Almost 90 per cent of Brits are unaware that there is a link between menopause and oral health, according to the results of a survey by independent UK health provider Bupa.

Of the 2,001 people who were asked for research, 86% of women and 94% of men did not know that changes in the teeth, tongue or gums can be associated with menopause.

In fact, it can cause gum disease, toothache and even tooth loss. But with proper care and treatment, most oral health problems can be solved.

Why does menopause affect oral health?

Hormonal levels change as a woman approaches menopause. Estrogen drops and eventually menstruation will stop altogether.

We can think of estrogen as a sex hormone, but it actually plays an important role in all kinds of bodily processes.

“We need estrogen for every bodily function a woman has,” Dr Sam Wild, family doctor and women’s health leader at Bupa, told me. “We need it for our healthy teeth, for our bones, for our nerves, for the lining of our mouths. So the lower the levels, the more vulnerable women are.” easily are oral health problems.”

It can also change the appearance of the mouth, according to dentist Jason B Cellars, who runs Seacliff Dental in California. He told me that reduced blood supply to the gums increases the risk of tooth decay, which can make the teeth appear longer and darker.

“Another concern is the loss of bone in periodontal disease,” he added. “Due to poor protection against infection and disease, the loss of bone around the teeth can cause pain.”

Dry mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common oral health problems women face during menopause.

Menopause is associated with a decrease in saliva production and a change in its composition, Bupa Dental Care hygienist and head of hygiene and treatment Caitlin Miller told me.

“Saliva can become sticky and thick,” he said. “That causes problems with speech, swallowing, and can cause bad breath.”

That’s because having a dry mouth makes it easier for bacteria to grow. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, toothache, sensitivity and eventually tooth loss.

Dr Cellars said: “Our saliva is what keeps our mouths moist when we eat and plays a big role in preventing cavities. When salivation goes down, the chances of having cavities” it goes up a lot,” he added.

Burning mouth

Another common problem associated with menopause is known as “burning lips.”

“This is a constant pain that can be felt anywhere in the mouth and throat,” said Dr. Wild. “It can be really debilitating and can change people’s taste buds, especially in salty and sour foods.”

Burning mouth is also associated with bad breath, which can be embarrassing and prevent women from seeking help.

“Many women experience mental health problems during menstruation and menopause,” Dr Wild added. “They lose confidence and self-esteem because of all these physical and mental changes. And feeling like you have a bad spirit on top of that is really not good. ”

Mental health

In addition to menopause, mental health itself is also related to oral health. In addition to its impact on self-esteem, researchers are investigating how the bacteria in the mouth can affect other parts of the body.

Improving your oral health, Miller told me, can change the makeup of bacteria in other parts of your body.

He said: “If we organize the bacteria in the mouth, which is the place of the whole body, we help to live well in the gut.” And as a growing body of research shows, the bacteria in your gut can affect your brain health and mental health.

Maintaining oral health during menopause

Many women are unaware of the effect of menopause on their oral health. They may not realize that they can get help from their dentist or hygienist, or that they may need to take care of their teeth more than before.

Many oral health problems can be improved and even solved with good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regularly cleaning between your teeth with a toothbrush or floss.

Regular visits to the dentist or hygienist can help you spot problems as early as possible. They may recommend products such as sprays to help relieve dry mouth.

They can also show you how to brush your teeth properly – something that is often taught in childhood and never re-examined.

“Recently I gave a speech to a room of 80-year-olds,” Miller said. “I had a woman come up to me and say, ‘I didn’t know I could be I did.’”

Lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep can also help improve oral health.

Many menopausal women drink a lot of alcohol to help cope with the symptoms. But in fact, this can worsen menopausal symptoms – including oral health problems.

“Of course it is advice that we can give to anyone to a certain extent,” said Dr. Wild. All this common advice becomes even more important during menstruation.

Medical treatment

Lifestyle, he added “is important.” But it is not always enough to control the symptoms.

Doctors may prescribe hormone replacement therapy to help ease the symptoms of menopause and menopause — and women may be eligible before they realize it.

“I think a lot of women feel like they can’t get HRT until their period stops, and that’s not true,” said Dr Wild.

Consult your doctor for more information about HRT, he added. “Make informed decisions about whether treatment is right for you.”