How Menopause Affects Oral Health: What You Should Know

1. Dry Mouth: Feeling Like A Desert?

Have you ever painstakingly tried to get your tongue unstuck from the roof of your mouth as you try to wake up in the morning because it feels like it’s glued on there? That feeling is known as xerostomia or dry mouth, and it is something that a lot of women going through menopause go through. Let’s find out the reasons behind it.

Why Does It Happen?

Once a woman hits menopause, she experiences a significant decline in her estrogen and progesterone levels. Some may already know it suppresses the ability to reproduce,  but do you know it also inhibits salivary gland functions? 

In other words, you can expect a drier mouth as you would have less saliva, which may not seem too serious, but the reality is it’s really uncomfortable. 

Why Should You Care?

Think of saliva as your mouth’s all-rounder. It not only dislodges food particles and neutralises acids within the mouth but also assists in fighting bacteria. 

When the amount of saliva produced decreases, your mouth starts to build up cavities, gum problems, and foul breath, in addition to making everyday activities such as eating and talking uncomfortable.

What Can You Do About It?

• Make it a habit to sip water consistently throughout the day. Staying hydrated should be the priority.
• Try Natural Mouthwash. Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol; it can worsen the dryness further.
• Munch on sugar-free gummies or suck on sugar-free candy. These can boost salivary secretion. 
• Speak to your dentist regarding the usage of saliva substitutes. Sprays can provide temporary comfort for dry mouth.

2. Gum Disease: A Silent Threat

Are your gums a little bit swollen? Or are your gums bleeding while you brush them? If they are, it could signal the onset of gum disease, which is more frequent during the menopause phase than one would think.

What Is Happening?

The hormonal changes during menopause decrease blood flow to the gums, making these tissues more prone to infections and inflammation. 

If these diseases are diagnosed late, the result is widespread inflammation of the gum (gingivitis), which, left unexamined, can even result in tooth loss.

What Are The Warning Signs?

• While brushing and flossing, the gums tend to bleed.
• Gums that appear reddened, tender, or swollen.
• Bad breath that refuses to go away.
• You may think that your gums are receding from the teeth.

How Can You Protect Your Gums?

• Use fluoride-containing toothpaste, and brush your teeth twice a day.
• Remember to floss to eliminate food residues or plaques on a daily basis.
• Take a visit to the dentist in a regular, timely manner for cleaning and check-ups.
• An antibacterial mouthwash that can fight gum inflammation may be beneficial.

Remember that the gums are the base on which your teeth are centred. Keeping them healthy ensures that your smile stays strong and you are devoid of gum disease during menopause.

3. Increased Risk Of Cavities: The Sneaky Culprit

Have you been noticing cavities lately? During Menopause, teeth are at a higher risk of decay. 

What Causes It?

This is due to the reduction in oestrogen levels. Lower levels of oestrogen lead to more weakening of enamel (hard, protective outer layer of teeth). Add dry mouth and lowered saliva to this equation, and you have all the requirements for the right environment to develop cavities.

What Should You Watch For?

• Sweets or hot or cold drinks cause toothaches.
• The visible presence of holes or dark spots on the teeth.

How Can You Fight Back?

• Strengthening enamel by using fluoride toothpaste while brushing might help.
• Protect tooth enamel by cutting down on sugary treats and beverages since bacteria that cause cavities thrive on them.
• Ensure that you regularly visit your dental care specialist for cleaning and fluoride applications.

With good dental hygiene and regular check-ups, the chances of overcoming cavities are high.

4. Oral Thrush: When A Fungal Infection Disrupts Your Smile

If you experience soreness or a burning sensation in your mouth or notice white patches on your tongue, be careful. These are symptoms of oral thrush.  

What Is It?

This is a fungal infection. It is caused by the overgrowth of fungi candida due to hormonal changes. It is the hormonal imbalance caused by menopause that causes a population imbalance between bacteria and fungi and makes it easier for the fungi to colonise.

What Are The Symptoms?

• Red or white patches inside the cheeks or on the tongue
• Burning sensation or soreness in the mouth
• Pain when swallowing

How Can You Prevent It?

• Brush and floss daily to keep your mouth clean.
• Reduce sugar consumption, as sugar is what supports fungal growth.
• If you have dentures, take time to clean them properly.
• If necessary, contact your dentist to receive antifungal therapy.

Oral thrush during menopause can be painful, but with the right cure, you can get rid of it easily.

5. Changes In Taste And Smell: Food Just Doesn’t Taste The Same

Your most preferred food group, but it stops tasting as great as you recall. This is yet another unexpected result of going through the menopausal transition.

What’s Causing It?

Hormonal alterations from the menopause stage may also greatly impact how we sense flavours and scents due to the effects they may have on our taste and smell receptors. 

This can sometimes discourage your enjoyment of food. At times, it may even cause a complete loss of appetite.

How Can You Cope?

• Keep yourself well hydrated since a dry mouth can aggravate the altered sense of taste.
• Include a maximum amount of nutrient-rich foods in your diet.
• Try to include a variety of spices and flavours in your dishes to compensate for your dormant taste buds.

It’s kind of irritating not to have the privilege of enjoying your favourite food. But we recommend taking a chill pill and trying the following instead. 

Try to experiment with cooking. It’s funny, but these obstacles can even lead you to make the most amazing dishes for yourself. 

6. Tooth Sensitivity: Ouch! That Ice Cream Hurts

Another more serious annoyance that may accompany menopause is tooth sensitivity. Does chomping on something cold or sweet hurt?

Why Does It Happen?

Receding gums and weakened enamel expose the more delicate inner layers of teeth, making them sensitive to temperature and sweetness.

What Are The Symptoms?

• Pain during eating or drinking hot, cold, or even sweet foods/ drinks

How can you ease the discomfort?

• Toothpaste that is specially made for sensitive teeth can be used.
• Cutting on foods and drinks can lead to even stronger acid erosion of the enamel layer.
• Further preventatives can be fluoride treatments or dental sealants. Talk to your dentists.

Sensitivity can well be kept under control if you can put effort into giving extra attention to your teeth.

Mastering Your Dental Hygiene 

Menopause is bound to have its own set of complications, but worry not: oral hygiene is something you can safeguard. Knowing the physiological processes that your body goes through, coupled with taking preemptive actions, will help keep your smile intact. 

While exploring each condition, you must have noticed the steps of prevention are almost the same. So, the general idea is to keep your mouth clean and give proper attention to any symptoms at the earliest.

So here’s a quick summary of what you can do: 

• Drink plenty of water to keep dry mouth at bay. 
• Brush your teeth two times a day, along with flossing. 
• Be certain to go for a dentist appointment for regular checkups and a professional cleaning of your teeth. 
• Bleeding of the gums, sensitivity, or white patches are symptoms you should not ignore. Early intervention is key! 

Read more about tips for maintaining dental hygiene during menopause: Menopause and Dental Health Guide: Tips for Maintaining Strong Teeth.

People are least concerned about oral health, even if they care about it as part of daily habits. But during menopause, even simple things should be given the utmost attention and care, courtesy of the fluctuating hormones and their effects.

Menopause can ask you many questions, and sometimes, you may find it difficult to consolidate them. If you ever feel like you need professional support, don’t hold back; reach out. You can count on Nirva Health. 

Nirva Health strives to make it easier for you with our top specialists. We will set you up with a wellness plan designed to help you manage and deal with the symptoms of menopause. 

We invite you to be a part of the customised service we are providing for our clients. 

Quoting the words of one of our happy customers:

“Nirva Health truly changed my menopause journey. Their personalised care and holistic approach helped me feel like myself again—balanced, confident, and ready to take on life with a fresh perspective!” - Kate(UK)

Wrapping It Up

Menopause can be tough, and there’s no denying that; however, the silver lining is that it’s within your grasp to secure your oral health. It all comes down to gaining insight into how your body is altering and implementing the necessary measures. Your mouth will be completely protected if you remain hydrated, brush your teeth on a regular basis, and also get dental checkups in a timely manner.

During this phase of life, don’t let menopause take away your radiance. Remember that your mouth is a very significant part of your body, so it needs to be well taken care of. With some extra effort, you could go through this stage without any issues, and your oral health would remain on point. 

If you or someone you know is going through the menopause phase, feel free to share this blog with them so that they can remain informed and healthy. Help us eliminate the stigma surrounding this so that it serves as an eye-opener to many who intend to keep fit and social, which everyone can do irrespective of the phase of life they’re in.