A dental surgeon says he wants to raise awareness of the many ways menopause can impact teeth. Dr Theo Sioutis, specialist dental director at London-based MyHealthcare Clinic, is encouraging women to pay attention to changes in their mouth as a result of decreasing levels of hormones.
Menopause is classed as the absence of a period for 12 months and typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55. Symptoms more commonly talked about include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, low mood and anxiety.
Dr Sioutis says women should also be keeping an eye on bleeding, inflamed and tender gums. He said: “As a society we are getting much better at talking about the many symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, but one area which is often overlooked is the impact it has on oral health.
“Hormones affect the gums and this can be noticed during different stages of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, when gums can feel more sensitive. This is barely noticed in most people.
“During menopause levels of oestrogen decline and soft tissues and bones are impacted. In the mouth this can be presented as a greater susceptibility for gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.”
Declining oestrogen levels can also mean changes in the amount of saliva, which acts as a natural defence for the oral cavity, produced.
Dr Sioutis continued: “During menopause women can experience dryness in mucous membranes throughout the body. This includes the mouth.
“A reduction in saliva can lead to a build-up of bacteria, which then attack the teeth and lead to higher levels of gum disease and tooth decay.”
Osteoporosis can affect people going through the menopause, especially in the first few years, according to the NHS. Dr Sioutis said: “The menopause can increase risk of osteoperosis due to declining oestrogen levels. In the mouth this could lead to weakened bone structure, changes to gums and eventually tooth loss.”
To combat symptoms he recommends a good oral hygiene routine including brushing twice a day, flossing, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups.
Quitting smoking and reducing intake of foods and drinks containing lots of sugar may also help. Dr Sioutis added: “Visiting your dentist regularly will help you to maintain good healthy gums and tooth structure, and we can spot any potential problems in good time.
“Ideally we want to be looking at preventative measures, but when symptoms do occur it’s important to say they are normal and natural, and are as a result of hormonal changes in the body.
“I think it’s really important that women don’t feel isolated when they are experiencing these symptoms. There is help available”.
