While menopause is often associated with significant symptoms of menstrual changes and hot flashes, it can also be profoundly correlated with the impact on oral health. As we know, all hormones do fluctuate during the time of menopause; women suffering from it may experience a wide range of various dental issues that would require some extra care and attention. Some of the changes might include problems of dry mouth, tooth pain, gum bleeding, and even changes in food taste, which also leads to tooth loss. Visit the family dentist in Pleasanton, CA, for a detailed consultation.
What are the dental health problems and the oral health issues faced by women during menopause?
Some of the common types of dental health problems faced by women during the stages of menopause are:
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Dry mouth and menopause
One of the core dental health issues faced by women while having menopause is xerostomia, which is commonly known as dry mouth. Here, estrogen is also involved in the production of saliva, and when the levels of estrogen drop during the stages of menopause, the amount of the production of saliva suddenly decreases. As we all know, saliva plays a significant role in regulating and keeping dental health healthy by neutralizing acids, washing away the leftovers of the particles of the food, or preventing excess bacterial growth in your mouth. There can be a risk of gum diseases, cavities, and bad breath if the production of saliva is not proper.
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Gum disease
Some other dental concerns that you might face while in menopause include gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease. Here, estrogen plays a vital role in helping widen up the blood vessels that would enable the good flow of blood in the body, so when the process of menopause takes place, the estrogen refuses to supply blood to the gums. With the smaller supply of blood flow, the gums are not at all sound at producing antigens for the bacteria and the built-ups of plaque on the gums and teeth. All these issues can lead to the symptoms of gum bleeding, swelling, or the feeling of soreness.
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Menopause teeth shifting and bone loss
In our bodies, estrogens play an essential role in keeping the bones of our body stagnant and strong for a very long time, including the jawbones. As the drop in estrogen level happens during the time of menopause, the bone density gets lost, and the teeth start shedding. This condition is commonly known in medical terms as osteoporosis. In this case, if th jawbone is affected severely, the teeth of that particular woman may move, and also, in some cases, the teeth would fall out. 
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Menopause and the burning mouth syndrome:
Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that is mainly seen in women going through the stage of menopause. You might have a sense of sudden burning of the mouth, or that burning sensation may develop over time. When the burning mouth syndrome happens, the woman might feel a sense of tingling and burning in her mouth, and sometimes these symptoms might change in the taste or the feeling of something weird.
Frequently asked questions
How can menopause severely affect the oral health of women?
The production of estrogen levels is certainly reduced after and during the time of menopause, and these oral health issues can lead to several oral health problems such as gum sensitivity, dry mouth, and the increase in the risk of loss of bone density that may lead to loss of tooth.
How can I protect my oral health during menopause?
You must maintain good oral hygiene; you must brush and floss every day. You must stay hydrated and drink plenty of water daily. Lastly, visit your dentist for regular dental check-ups on a regular basis.
