Menopause And 7 Oral Health Issues: Don't Wait Act Now

Menopause And 7 Oral Health Issues: Don’t Wait Act Now

Women tend to have more oral health problems due to the unique hormonal changes they experience.

These hormonal changes not only affect the blood supply to the gums but also the body’s response to the toxins that result from plaque build-up.
Changes in the hormone levels can cause dry mouth, altered taste, menopausal gingivostomatitis, bone loss, gum injury, burning tongue, gum recession and bad breath.
Source:
my.clevelandclinic.org – hormones and oral health

Oral changes can include:

Altered taste
Burning sensation in the mouth
Increased sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks
Less saliva that can result in dry mouth
Gums more susceptible to bleeding
Gums receding

1. Dry mouth

Dryness of the mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common symptom for menopausal women.
The production of saliva is influenced by estrogen levels and menopausal women have lower flow rates of saliva than menstruating women.
Saliva helps your body’s ability to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth and to prevent cavities.
When saliva flow is less, women are more susceptible to problems such as plaque formation, caries, and periodontal disease.
Dry mouth can also result from many prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines that are commonly prescribed to older adults.

Source:
colgate.com – link between hormones & dry mouth

Other causes of dry mouth

Dehydration
Mouth-breathing: You may be breathing through your mouth at night, especially if you have nasal congestion
Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Sjogren’s syndrome and strokes
Anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants
Nerve damage to the neck and head area resulting from and injury or surgery
Antihistamines, decongestants and some pain medicines
Certain drugs for high blood pressure
Chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment
Parkinson’s disease medications

Source:
webmed.com – dental health & dry mouth

Symptoms of dry mouth

Bad breath
Constant sore throat
Difficulty eating, speaking or swallowing
Dry feeling in your nose
Hoarseness
Increased thirst
Lip, tongue and mouth sores
Taste disorders
Trouble wearing dentures
Tooth decay

Source:
medicinenet.com – dry mouth

Lifestyle changes to help dry mouth

Check your toothpaste and mouthwash, most toothpastes and mouthwashes have some chemicals that can irritate your gums.
It might be a good idea to change over to a natural toothpaste containing echinacea
Some women find that their jaws start to ache and are painful.
Taking a calcium and magnesium supplement can help with this.
Drinking water and staying hydrated can help relieve dry mouth
Sugar-free gum or sugar-free hard candies can stimulate the flow of saliva
Limit your caffeine intake as caffeine can dry out your mouth
Don’t use mouthwashes that contain alcohol as they can have a drying-out effect
Source: a.vogel.co.uk – can menopause cause dry mouth

2. Burning mouth syndrome

Burning mouth is a feeling of the burning of the tongue and often of the palate as well but may also occur anywhere in the mouth or throat.
Burning mouth syndrome is more common in menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Symptoms of burning mouth

Burning sensation in the throat, the gums, the palate and the inside of the cheeks, and can come and go multiple times throughout the day.
A metallic taste or bitter taste may occur at the same time as the burning sensation.
At times, the burning may be so severe that it leads to depression and anxiety.

Causes of burning mouth

Nutritional deficiency
Look at your nutritional needs, a good multivitamin can be helpful
Stress
If you find you have a lot of stress and anxiety and your mouth flares up at the same time, then you know that there is a link between the two.
Anemia due to low iron levels
If you are going through perimenopause and your periods are heavy or prolonged, it can deplete your iron levels.
Thyroid problems
Unfortunately, during menopause, you are more susceptible to thyroid problems, causing sluggishness, fatigue, mood changes and sleep issues.

Source:
mayoclinic.org – burning mouth syndrome causes & symptoms
sciencedirect.com – anemia & burning mouth syndrome

A proper oral check-up is necessary to find the exact cause as it can also be a symptom of acid reflux, diabetes, or other mouth-related disorders.

Treatment for burning mouth

Nutritional supplements such as iron, zinc or vitamin B
Capsaicin, found in chili peppers
Pain managing medications to improve your nervous system
High-fluid diet
Products to produce saliva
Hormone replacement therapy

Source:
familydoctor.org – burning mouth syndrome

3. Gingivitis & periodontitis

Gum inflammation or gingivitis if left untreated, can progress to more serious stages of periodontal disease, such as periodontitis.
Plaque accumulates in the areas between the teeth and can inflame the gums.
The decline in estrogen that comes with menopause also puts women at a greater risk for bone loss or osteoporosis and periodontitis.
Receding gums can be a sign of bone loss in the jawbone, exposing more of the tooth surface to potential tooth decay and possible tooth loss.

Source:
cbi.nlm.nih.gov – relationship between menopause & periodontal disease

4. Periodontal disease

Menopause can be a significant risk factor in the development of periodontal disease.
Declining estrogen levels, not only contribute to bone loss of the spine and hips, but also to bone loss of the jawbone, increasing the risk for loose teeth and tooth loss.
If you are menopausal, your doctor can order a diagnostic test to evaluate your bone density.
If the results of your test indicate bone loss, your doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment plan which can help prevent periodontal disease from progressing.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

Gum inflammation
Bright red or purple gums
Bleeding gums
Gum tenderness
Receding gums
Gaps between your teeth
Pus formation
Loose teeth
Bad breath
Bite problems
Chewing pain

Source:
mayoclinic.org – periodontitis symptoms and causes

Causes of periodontal disease

Bacteria in the mouth, leads to infected tissue surrounding the tooth, causing inflammation.
When bacteria stay on teeth for longer, they form a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar.
Tartar build-up can also spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean.

Treatment of periodontal disease

The main aim of treatment is to control the infection and this depends on the extent of the gum disease.
Any type of treatment requires a good daily home care routine.

Keep your gums and teeth healthy by:

Brushing teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth
Visiting your dentist annually for a check-up and professional cleaning
Not smoking

Treatment for advanced periodontal disease

If your periodontal disease is advanced, you may need one of the following treatments:

Scaling to remove tartar
Antimicrobial oral rinses
Oral antibiotics
Flap surgery
Bone and tissue grafts

Source:
colgate.com – treatment for periodontal disease

5. Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue is a condition that causes smooth, reddish patches surrounded by white borders on the tongue.
The red areas are missing the tiny bumps that naturally occur on the surface of the tongue.
Source:
clevelandclinic.org – geographic tongue

Symptoms of geographic tongue

Red spots on the tongue
The red patches on the tongue appear in an irregular map-like pattern and are often surrounded by white or grey borders and can appear anywhere on the top, sides, and tip of the tongue.
Absence of papillae
Papillae the tiny bumps that coat and protect the entire tongue and help you chew food are absent in geographic tongue.
Burning sensation
A stinging, tingling, or burning sensation on the tongue, especially when eating.
Patches in other areas of the mouth
Sometimes, red patches can also form on the gums, the top of the mouth, or inside the cheeks.

Symptoms can come and go and may last a few weeks or years.

Causes of geographic tongue

Hormonal surges
Oral contraceptives can cause geographic tongue, possibly due to the female hormones in the pills.
Diabetes
Those with type 1 diabetes, have a higher chance of developing a geographic tongue.
Allergies
Eczema, hay fever, and other allergies can increase the chance of developing a geographic tongue.
Emotional stress
There is a possible link between increased stress and geographic tongue.
Vitamin deficiencies
Not having enough zinc, iron, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12 can cause this condition.

Treatment of geographic tongue

Geographic tongue is a benign condition and does not need specific treatment.
Avoid eating foods that may irritate your tongue, such as spicy food.
Dental care experts may recommend special mouthwash or toothpaste, and vitamin supplements, such as zinc, iron, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12.

6. Receding gums

Does menopause affect teeth and gums?

When it relates to the causes of receding gums menopause happens to be one of the top five reasons.
A drop in estrogen levels can result in the loss of bone density.
Even the jawbone remains prone to bone loss, causing tooth loss and other dental issues.
Gums start receding and become extremely sensitive and may also bleed from brushing.
Long, loose teeth and exposed roots are the most common indicators of receding gums.
After some time, the gum tissue loosens and forms packets that collect bacteria.
Women who belong to the age group 47 to 55 should give special attention to their oral health, including:

Visiting the dentist twice a year for a professional oral examination and cleaning
Eating a well-balanced diet
Avoiding sugary or starchy snacks
Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse if recommended by your dentist

Symptoms of receding gums

Gums start receding and become extremely sensitive
Long, loose teeth and exposed roots
Bleeding after brushing or flossing
Red, swollen gums
Bad breath
Pain at the gum line
Visibly shrinking gum

Additional causes of receding gums

Periodontal diseases
Bacterial gum infections are the main cause of gum recession, destroying gum tissue and supporting bone that holds your teeth in place.

Genetics
Some people may be more prone to gum disease due to genetics.
Studies show that 30% of the population may be predisposed to gum disease, regardless of how well they care for their teeth.

Aggressive tooth brushing
If you brush your teeth too vigorously, it can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and your gums to recede.

Insufficient dental care
Inadequate brushing and flossing make it easy for plaque to turn into tartar.

Smoking
Smoking weakens your immune system and thereby makes it harder to fight off a gum infection.

Source:
dentalhealth.org – HRT & reduction in gum disease
a.vogel.co.uk – mouth problems during menopaus

7. Why can menopause cause bad breath?

As your estrogen falls, it affects the hydration of all the mucous membranes in the body, including that of the mouth.
Your saliva has a specific pH level that helps to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
As saliva decreases, your mouth starts to dry out, which then allows unfriendly bacteria to get into the mouth.
Bacteria starts to breed in between the gums and the teeth, which can lead to bad breath.

Source:
colgate.com – hormones bad breath connection
a.vogel.co.uk – body odor changes during menopause

Helpful tips to prevent bad breath

Have regular dental check-ups & maintain good oral hygiene
Make sure you drink water regularly
Use a natural toothpaste
Alleviate mucous membranes’ dryness by using sea buckthorn oil
Limit your caffeine intake
Avoid too many sugary foods as they feed the bad bacteria

What you can do to prevent oral health problems

Keep your gums healthy
Plaque is always forming on your teeth and not removing it, can cause soreness, swelling, and bleeding of your gums and can even cause infections that damage the bone underneath.
Visit your dentist regularly to help detect early gum disease.

Brush and floss regularly
Brush teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day.
Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Invest in an electric toothbrush
According to an article in Dental Health UK , electric toothbrushes clean teeth and gums much better than a manual toothbrush.
Scientists found that those using an electric toothbrush have healthier gums, less tooth decay, and also keep their teeth for longer, compared with those who use a manual toothbrush.

Use a therapeutic mouthwash
These include ingredients that provide long-lasting bacterial reduction.
They can help to reduce plaque, prevent or reduce gingivitis and reduce the speed of tarter development.

Be kind when brushing
Brushing your teeth too strongly or the wrong way can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and your gums to recede.

Keep your mouth hydrated
Saliva helps to clean your teeth and protect your mouth from tooth decay.
As you age, your mouth tends to get drier, and your chances of tooth decay increase.
Make sure you drink enough water every day.
Dehydration may also be caused by the medication you are taking.
Some drugs have a drying-out effect.
Check with your doctor if your medication needs to be changed.

Watch out for foods containing acid
Fizzy drinks and juices all contain acid and should be limited.
Sugary and starchy foods cause your mouth to make acid, wearing away the enamel on your teeth.
A good idea would be to drink a glass of water after having eaten or drunk something that contains acid.

Don’t chew ice or other hard foods.
This can chip your enamel and even break teeth.

Quit smoking
Smoking weakens your immune system and thereby makes it harder to fight off gum infections.

Teeth and Age: What Changes Take Place?

Certain changes occur over time as your body ages:

Cells renew at a slower rate
Tissues become thinner and less elastic
Bones become less dense and therefore weaken
The immune system becomes weaker and infection can occur more quickly, and healing takes longer

These changes also affect tissue and bone in the mouth, which increase the risk of the following oral health problems:
Teeth wearing down
Over a lifetime your teeth have to endure a lot of wear and tear.
Daily chewing eventually starts wearing the teeth down.

Teeth discoloration
Over time, the teeth’s natural enamel wears away, exposing natural yellow dentin.

Dry mouth
Saliva is instrumental in the prevention of tooth decay.
Dry mouth, a common aging symptom, can have detrimental effects on oral health.

Gum recession
Bone and muscle loss are unfortunately inevitable with age.
Gum recession is a result of bone and muscle loss, which occurs in the face and jaw areas.
Severe gum recession if left untreated can also cause teeth to loosen and ultimately fall out.

Smaller nerves in the teeth
With age, the nerves in your teeth shrink, causing your teeth to become less sensitive and you are therefore less likely to feel problems such as tooth cavities.

Source:
medlineplus.gov – aging changes in teeth & gums

How to protect your teeth and gums

No matter your age, proper dental care can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Brush teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day
See your dentist for regular check-ups
Avoid sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages
Do not smoke

Vitamin deficiencies that have an impact on oral health

Vitamin deficiencies can affect your oral health, specifically teeth, and gum health.
The following supplements help to promote oral health and reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

Calcium
A lack of calcium leads to osteoporosis, which can also affect the jawbone, weakening the jaw that supports the roots of teeth properly, which can lead to tooth loss.
A calcium deficiency can also increase your risk of tooth decay and general tooth brittleness.
Eat calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, kale, and spinach, and consider taking a daily calcium supplement for good bone and tooth health.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus is needed for the absorption and use of calcium, as well as protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel, making your teeth stronger.
Phosphorus is found in meat, milk, whole grains, fish, and eggs as well as other protein-rich foods.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is great for your gums as well as your teeth, helping to keep the connective tissue strong, thereby helping to keep your teeth in place.
A Vitamin C deficiency can lead to bleeding gums and other gum problems.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, peppers, sweet potatoes, and kale.

Vitamin B12
A Vitamin B12 deficiency can increase your risk of periodontitis.
Vitamin B12 is also important for healthy blood cells and helping wounds heal.
Good dietary sources of B12 include milk and fish and or consider taking a vitamin B12 supplement.

Zinc
Zinc can help your teeth by ensuring that demineralization of the teeth is controlled, thereby decreasing the risk of cavities.
Zinc can also help with gingivitis and other common periodontal diseases.
Meat is a great source of zinc as well legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy, eggs, whole grains, and shellfish.

Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
They help to improve connective tissue attachment and reduce gum inflammation, bleeding, and swelling as well as reducing plaque levels.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency can also affect your oral health.
You need vitamin D for calcium to be properly absorbed by the body.
A lack of vitamin D intake can also lead to cavities.
Vitamin D rich-foods include egg yolks, red meat, and salmon.

Additional beneficial supplements for oral health

Green tea
Green tea may help to reduce plaque, gum bleeding, and inflammation in those with periodontal disease.
Green tea can be found in certain toothpastes, mouthwashes as well as chewing gum.
A study conducted in 2016 suggests that just drinking green tea daily for a period of 6 weeks can help to reduce gum disease. (1)
CoQ10
CoQ10 is an antioxidant produced by the body and has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
It can help to significantly reduce gum inflammation and gum bleeding and is also available as a supplement.
Curcumin
Curcumin is an active component of turmeric and is known for its wonderful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help to reduce plaque, gum inflammation, and bleeding.

Sources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov- efficacy of omega3 in management of chronic periodontitis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov- treatment of periodontitis by curcumin
colgate.com – essential vitamins for teeth & gums
periodonticsnaples.com – vitamin deficiencies & tooth decay
icondentalcenter.com – zinc good for your teeth?
europepmc.org – green tea & impact on periodontitis

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