The Relationship between Dental Problems and Menopause
Menopause signals many changes in a woman’s body and in her life. Some of these changes she can prepare for while others may catch her by (often unpleasant) surprise. The changes in her oral health often fall into this latter category.
While restorative dentistry offers many excellent solutions to oral health problems, prevention truly is the best cure when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums. By being aware of the changes that can occur in your mouth during and after menopause, and being proactive by visiting the dentist regularly, you can help to maintain excellent oral health for a lifetime.
If you are near the age of menopause, or you have reached menopause, we invite you to schedule an appointment to discuss your current and future oral health strategies with renowned dentist Bruce Wilderman, D.D.S. He can discuss dental problems and menopause during a detailed consultation at his Philadelphia cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice, Artistic Expressions Dentistry. You will emerge with a concrete plan to preserve the health, function, and aesthetics of your teeth and gums, in addition to feeling better about the future of your smile.
How Menopause Can Affect Your Oral Health
Menopause has been shown to affect a woman’s oral health in many possible ways, contributing to such dental problems as:
- Gum disease: Roughly one-quarter of women between the ages of 30 and 54 have periodontitis, the advanced form of gum disease. This number rises to 44 percent among women aged 55 to 90. The hormone fluctuations associated with menopause make the gums particularly vulnerable to disease and recession.
- Jawbone degradation: The decrease in estrogen levels connected with menopause affects bone strength throughout the body, including the jaw. Women who are missing teeth may experience accelerated jawbone degradation, while women who wear dentures may find that they require new dentures more frequently as their bone structure changes more rapidly.
- Tooth loss: The tendency toward bone loss in post-menopausal women extends to the teeth, as well.
- Mouth pain: Many women experience burning pain in their mouths along with decreased saliva production during and after menopause. Dry mouth can exacerbate other dental problems, including gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay.
- Altered taste: Many women experience changes in their ability to taste during and after menopause.
Maintaining good oral and overall health during and after menopause requires effort on the part of both the patient and her healthcare team, including her dentist and her general physician. Dr. Wilderman is happy to be part of any patient’s healthcare team and would be more than pleased to be part of yours.
Learn More about Dental Problems and Menopause
Menopause represents a huge change in a woman’s life, but it does not have to lead to negative changes in a woman’s smile. For further information about dental problems and menopause, or to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Bruce Wilderman, we invite you to contact Artistic Expressions Dentistry today. We would be pleased to assist you in any way we can.