A little-known symptom of menopause can often be overlooked, say dental experts, because hot flashes and night sweats are among the most infamous maladies at this stage of a woman’s life. But, they add, teeth and gums should also be included in the equation.
“I’m not sure that all people are aware of this,” said Dr Thomas Sollecito, chief of oral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, “but hormonal changes, mainly a sharp drop in oestrogen, can reduce bone density and saliva production and harm the gums. All of that can affect the teeth.”
Oral care experts say there are ways to counteract these effects, reports The Independent.
While menopause officially happens when a woman goes 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, some of the hormone-related dental problems may begin during perimenopause, when the ovaries gradually make less oestrogen, said Dr Maiara Hister-Cockrell, a dentist with the University of Texas Health San Antonio.
One of the biggest concerns is less saliva, which Sollecito called “one of the most important fluids in our body.”
When the saliva flow slows, it can cause dry mouth, bringing a greater risk of mouth soreness, oral yeast infections and cavities. Those risks are even higher when people take medicines for high blood pressure or diabetes that can also cause dry mouth, Hister-Cockrell said.
Less saliva also means less of its bacteria-killing enzymes and tooth-strengthening minerals, said Dr Sally Cram, a periodontist in Washington DC.
“When your mouth is dry, those bacteria are proliferating and you’re more prone to get tooth decay,” she said. And if decay festers, tooth loss is possible.
Decreasing bone density and receding gums exacerbate these problems. If the socket that holds the tooth is less dense, Sollecito said, it’s more vulnerable to bone loss. And gum recession can leave some tooth surfaces without the enamel that protects them from cavities.
Women in this phase of life are also more likely to develop periodontal disease, when plaque and bacteria collect under gums and around teeth.
“Gum tissue starts to get red and swollen,” said Cram, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “It bleeds and it starts pulling away from the teeth, creating deeper crevices around the teeth that are clearly harder to keep clean.”
Some people experience “burning mouth syndrome”, in which a burning sensation can extend to the tongue, palate and lips.
“As you could well imagine,” Sollecito added, “this could all really spiral out of control."
The first line of defence, experts said, was good oral hygiene and nutrition and a balanced diet low on sweets and high on calcium-rich foods, as well as brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and flossing regularly.
People can also use over-the-counter dry mouth sprays, lozenges or rinses. In severe cases, Sollecito said they could ask their dentist about prescription medications that increase the amount of saliva in the mouth – but come with side effects. There are also prescription medications for burning mouth syndrome.
The Independent article – Menopause warning over little-known symptom (Open access)
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