What Happens To Your Mouth During Menopause.
As I entered my 40s, I thought of how great I still felt. I was fully onboard with the slogan “This is 40” that all our friends seem to post on social media. I felt that aging was going to be a breeze. Bring it on!
Well, I still feel that way, but Mother Nature waits for no one, especially where menopause is concerned. After all, it’s biology and as a doctor, I can’t deny it.
The ending of our menstrual cycles occurs between the ages of 45-55 on average and thus a decline in estrogen and progesterone production. This means the start of many common symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes and sleep patterns. Some lesser-known, and less-talked about, symptoms include itchy skin, dry eyes, hair loss (or hair growth aka chin hairs. Eek!), and dry mouth.
Ah yes, the mouth. You may be clueing in to my clever segue and the link between menopause and a woman’s oral health!
Our saliva glands like estrogen. Estrogen supports our glands that produce saliva. The hormone decline also causes mucosal changes. With the decline of estrogen, the flow of saliva decreases. Since saliva helps, among other things, the rinsing away food particles, a low saliva flow may lead to dry mouth and eventually, cavities and gum disease! Another associated symptom is our taste buds and taste perception decreasing or altering. Our changes in taste may reshape our nutrition habits, which could be an added factor in our overall health.
Ladies, I’m afraid it doesn’t end there. Osteoporosis, the reduction in bone density, also affects our jawbone and thus the anchoring of our pearly whites. This can increase complexity in dental procedures like extractions and implants.
It’s not all doom and gloom because having some knowledge and understanding means we, as women, have the power of prevention at our disposable. The more you know, right?!
Drinking more water and clean fluids to manage salivary gland function, increasing calcium intake for our bones and for some women, HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
DRY MOUTH & MENOPAUSE
Some helpful habits to combat dry mouth includes paying attention to what we eat. Yes, natural foods like dates and nut butters are good for you but they are also gooey! Make sure to rinse and clean your teeth when eating sticky snacks. As mentioned, drinking water is always a good idea. At Smile Back we recommend a toothpaste or mouthwash with a slightly higher fluoride content.
CLEANING TOOLS
Consider an electric toothbrush and water flosser. They are such a great investment for your oral health. A power toothbrush is better at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush.
SALIVA & MICROBIOME
Our saliva carries many antibacterial properties. When we have a reduction in saliva due to menopause or other dental disorders, we are unable to combat the fine balance of good and bad bacteria. If you have any roots exposed due to gum recession those areas are 5 times more prone to decay due to the soft nature of our gums. Because gum disease develops slowly it often goes undetected because there is no pain.
GOOD BACTERIA TO THE RESCUE
Need some extra oral health care that counteracts the effects of dry mouth? Good bacteria may be the answer.
Consider an oral probiotic called BioGaia® . This probiotic helps balance and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, which can help protect against cavities and gum disease. And it’s not just for menopausal women.
High on the Prevention list? Regular dental check-ups! It’s really important to prioritize regular visits and cleanings with your dentist and that includes regularly scheduled X-rays.
With dry mouth and other persisting symptoms, we recommend x-rays on a regular basis to detect issues sooner rather than later. They are necessary for prevention and can make a large difference in early detection.
Did you know that digital x-ray technology reduces the radiation exposure for patients?
“There are more than 10 million women in Canada over the age of 40. They represent one quarter of the population. Their needs related to menopause have been overlooked.” – The Menopause Foundation of Canada.
We have come a very long way in talking about menopause and understanding women’s specific needs and concerns. As a dentist, I want to contribute to closing the knowledge gap. As a woman, I want to advocate for this information to be shared more widely and that puts a smile on my face.
Dr. Irena Mota
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