The Menopause & Your Mouth: What Every Woman Should Know

11 Apr

Menopause is widely discussed in terms of hot flushes, mood changes, and sleep disruption — but its impact on your oral health is far less talked about. As your dental team, we want to ensure you have the full picture, because the hormonal changes of menopause can significantly affect your teeth, gums, and mouth.

Why Does Menopause Affect Oral Health?

The oral mucosa and salivary glands are known to contain oestrogen receptors, meaning that variations in oestrogen levels may directly affect the oral cavity. As oestrogen and progesterone decline during menopause, a range of oral changes can occur — many of which go unrecognised by patients and even some healthcare providers.

Common Oral Changes During Menopause

Research consistently identifies several key areas of concern:

Gum disease (Periodontitis): Periodontal health is the most severely affected oral condition during menopause, affecting up to 60% of menopausal women. Oestrogen deficiency can lead to a decrease in bone density, affecting the alveolar bone that supports teeth.
Dry mouth (Xerostomia): Dry mouth affects around 25% of menopausal women and can lead to an increased risk of dental caries and oral infections. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by buffering acids and aiding in the remineralisation of tooth enamel — so reduced salivary flow significantly compromises oral health.
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS): Burning mouth syndrome affects approximately 15% of menopausal women and may increase the occurrence of oral mucosal diseases such as candidiasis.
Tooth loss: Tooth loss was found to be significantly higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women, even after adjusting for age.

The Psychological Impact

It is not only the physical changes that matter. Menopause can have detrimental psychological effects on mood, confidence, and anxiety, which may alter dietary habits and dental attendance patterns — with subsequent detrimental effects on oral health.

What Can Help?

Effective prevention and management strategies include regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene practices, and tailored treatments such as fluoride treatments and saliva substitutes. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who received Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) had a lower incidence of adverse dental outcomes compared to those who did not. However, always discuss HRT with your GP, as it is not suitable for everyone.

Summary

Menopause is a significant life stage that deserves greater attention in dental care. Women in perimenopause or menopause have limited oral health knowledge and unmet oral health needs, and appropriate guidelines and supportive strategies are required to assist healthcare providers. If you are going through menopause, please let your dental team know — we can tailor your care and help protect your smile throughout this transition.

References

Adam, M., & Wooton, J. (2022). Menopause and oral health. British Dental Journal, 233, 170. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4568-0

Dutt, P., Patthi, B., Singla, A., Gupta, R., & Malhotra, V. (2013). Oral health and menopause: A comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 3(3), 320–323. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3793432/

Özçaka, Ö., Biçakci, N., & Nalbantsoy, A. (2021). Oral health and emotional well-being in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional cohort study. BMC Women's Health, 21, 336. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01480-5

Suri, V., & Suri, V. (2014). Menopause and oral health. Journal of Midlife Health, 5(3), 115–120. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4195183/

Thomas, C. (2024). Oral health care among women in perimenopause or menopause: An integrative review. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 69(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13668

Vali, A., Rohanizadeh, N., & Sadeghi, M. (2024). Menopause and oral health: Clinical implications and preventive strategies. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11601932/