Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and coordinators. Produced by several organs, glands, and tissues, hormones are essential to your health, including your dental health. So, when people’s hormones change, as they do in perimenopause and menopause, different systems in your body can be affected, including your dental health and oral health.
For women, hormonal changes throughout their lives make them prone to dental and oral health changes. In addition to reduced hormone levels in menopause, medications are prescribed at a higher rate as you age, making regular dental hygiene and dentist visits important to maintaining a bright, healthy smile. Learn more about women’s hormones and dental health and what you can do to maintain your oral health as you age.
Menopause and Dental Health
Menopause presents a time of hormonal change, as does pregnancy. Reduced hormones, increased hormones, and unbalanced hormones can all affect your mouth tissue, saliva production, bone density, and tooth health.
Some of the possible effects of hormonal changes during menopause include:
- Gum recession
- Gum inflammation and tenderness
- Dry mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- Bone loss (see below)
Greater attention to your oral hygiene can help prevent and treat some of these conditions. Healthy additions to your routine could include mouthwash, more regular flossing, use of an electric toothbrush, and dietary changes. These can help reduce plaque, balance the pH in your mouth, stimulate gums and saliva production, and reduce inflammation. Saliva production is important to oral health, so dry mouth should be addressed, as it can be treated.
Talk to your dentist about your concerns and ask for his recommendations. Before your appointment, see Uptown Dental’s Guide to Oral Health to enhance your dental hygiene routine. And any time is a good time to review:
- Flossing techniques and options
- At-home dental care practices
- Foods to avoid for dental health
- Foods to eat to enhance oral health
Effects of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be a major factor in oral health. The loss of bone density can result in teeth becoming loose in the jaw and eventual loss of teeth. If you have a diagnosis of osteoporosis, be sure to discuss this with your dentist and doctor to come up with a plan to treat it and avoid the loss of bone density that can result in tooth loss.
Addressing Hormonal Changes
Your dentist and your doctor can both answer questions about how to address hormonal changes. Some women benefit from hormone therapy, which can improve their quality of life as well as their dental health. It can help protect older women from losing teeth.
Improved nutrition with more calcium and vitamin D may be a good next step. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash can all help women avoid the effects of hormones on oral health.
Remember to also keep a regular schedule of dentist appointments as a priority throughout your life. Contact Uptown Dental to set an appointment so you can learn more about keeping your smile sparkling and your teeth healthy!