Menopause Mouth Symptoms: Causes and Treatment

Yep, menopause mouth signs are undoubtedly a factor. I had no concept my very own perimenopause expertise would include delicate gums, painful canker sores, and dryness. Since their onset, I’ve tried to self-advocate far more whereas I am within the dentist’s chair. Typically, dentists may even spot the delicate oral well being indicators that menopause is on its approach (or is already right here).

Right here, study the most typical menopause mouth signs that your dentists could level out, why they occur, and what to do to get reduction.

What causes oral well being points throughout menopause?

Menopause mouth, like all signs of this pivotal life change, is introduced on by hormone fluctuations as an individual’s fertility declines. A drop in estrogen ranges may cause dryness, and never simply the vaginal selection one may usually anticipate, in keeping with a Might 2013 research within the Australian Dental Journal¹.

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“Throughout menopause, the physique’s estrogen ranges decline, resulting in a lower in saliva manufacturing,” says Daniel Croley, DMD, chief dental officer of Delta Dental of California and Affiliates. “Saliva is your mouth’s pure buffer—it cleanses the mouth, neutralizes acids, and protects towards tooth decay and gum illness. Much less saliva can result in elevated tooth decay and altered style,” he provides.

Whereas dentistry difficulties can occur at any time earlier than or throughout your menopause transition, many people don’t know in regards to the connection. A current survey performed by Delta Dental discovered 84 p.c of girls aged 50 and over are unaware that discomfort in and round your mouth is commonly linked to menopause.

“Impacts on oral well being can happen at any time throughout the reproductive years,” explains Robin Noble, MD, FACOG, a gynecologist, Menopause Society licensed supplier, and medical director at Intermed Ambulatory Surgery Center. “However vital impacts are extra typical in menopause,” she provides.

6 oral well being signs of menopause

The results of “menopause mouth” can range, and an individual could get a couple of oral well being difficulty. Listed below are six of the signs most seen by medical doctors and dentists:

1. Dry mouth

We have probably all had a bout of dry mouth at one level or one other. It typically stems from breathing through your mouth, taking sure drugs, or inhaling numerous dry air. But it surely’s additionally a typical menopause symptom.

It’s estimated almost half of menopausal girls have decreased saliva move in comparison with these nonetheless getting a interval, in keeping with a small November 2018 research within the Journal of International Society and Preventive & Community Dentistry. And as these saliva ranges drop, xerostomia, or dry mouth, units in. It is an annoying, icky feeling that is virtually such as you’ve swallowed sand.

2. Burning mouth syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is medical-speak for ongoing burning within the mouth (assume: in your gums, tongue, lips, inside your cheeks, and so forth.) with out an apparent trigger, per the Mayo Clinic. However throughout menopause particularly, some folks can really feel intense stinging, tingling, and ache in and round their mouth with out an harm. In actual fact, as much as 33 p.c of individuals in menopause have burning mouth syndrome, in keeping with an older BMJ Clinical Evidence assessment.

Different doable secondary causes of burning mouth syndrome (in addition to menopause) could embrace the next, per the Mayo Clinic:

• Dry mouth
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Allergic reactions
• Sure drugs
• Acid reflux disorder
• Stress or anxiousness

3. Chilly sores or canker sores

Based on an older 2010 research in Maturitas, menopause is related to suppressed immune perform—which is a major think about oral well being. A lagging immune system typically triggers painful eruptions in and across the mouth, together with canker sores (I’ve undoubtedly had a couple of, and ouch!) or chilly sores. Another indicators of canker sores to be careful for embrace the next, per the American Academy of Dermatology Association:

• Burning sensation in mouth
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Redness and swelling across the sore (on the lips, gums, or contained in the cheeks)

4. Bleeding gums

Menopause may wreak havoc in your gums, leaving them swollen, tender and extra liable to bleeding and an infection. Based on Dr. Croley, hormonal adjustments could make gums extra delicate to irritants like plaque and micro organism, which will increase the danger of periodontitis (i.e., gum illness) and tooth decay down the street.

I’ve personally discovered cleanings at my dental checkups have change into extra intense and painful, regardless of my flossing and brushing routine. Professional-tip: Don’t be afraid to inform your hygienist to go a bit simpler, or should you want a break throughout the cleansing course of.

5. Tooth bother

You are at the next threat of bone loss as your estrogen dips—together with the weakening of bones in your jaw and tooth. Individuals in menopause who even have gum illness are then hit with a double-whammy which will put their pearly whites liable to harm or decay, per the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. And even when you do not have gum illness, chances are you’ll expertise extra tooth sensitivity throughout menopause (particularly when consuming sizzling or chilly meals).

6. Lip sensitivity and thinning

Final however definitely not least, your lips are sometimes affected by menopause, too. Your kisser can get thinner, extra delicate, and liable to an infection or inflammatory situations. That features angular cheilitis—a situation the place the corners of the lips can change into cracked and painful, in keeping with a January 2022 assessment within the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health⁵.

The best way to deal with oral well being points from menopause

Whereas irritating and sometimes painful, there are efficient and straightforward methods you possibly can deal with, and generally even forestall, menopause mouth signs. This consists of:

Maintaining a wholesome dental routine

Specialists agree sustaining a wholesome dental routine throughout menopause is important to keep away from or mitigate menopause mouth signs. Which means brushing and flossing on the common and getting in to see your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Backside line: What you discovered again in preschool about taking good care of your tooth nonetheless applies, and it’s extra essential than ever!

“We’ve been given this one set of grownup tooth,” says Dr. Noble. “It’s so essential that individuals study at a younger age to deal with their dental well being.”

Staying hydrated

Decreased saliva attributable to hormone fluctuations could result in plaque buildup, irritating the tooth and gums. In between brushing and flossing, drink adequate amounts of water, attempt to reduce down on sugary or flavored drinks, and contemplate retaining sugar-free chewing gum on the prepared in order that plaque doesn’t sit in your tooth for too lengthy.

Stocking up on mouthwash and toothpaste

There are a lot of over-the-counter (OTC) merchandise particularly designed to handle and deal with mouth sensitivities—together with toothpastes and mouthwashes. These are efficient and comparatively cheap methods to make a giant distinction in your oral care and luxury. Personally, I’ve had good outcomes with Sensodyne toothpaste, and anti inflammatory mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide to appease my gums. However your dentist can also advocate prescription-strength therapies, relying on the severity of signs.

Ache-relieving meds like ibuprofen may work properly to lower gum and mouth ache basically, as do anesthetic topical gels and sprays (like Orajel).

Attempting dwelling treatments

Surprisingly sufficient, your kitchen may also supply different reduction choices. A superb, old school saltwater gargle works wonders for mouth soreness of all kinds, per the NHS. Sucking on some ice chips may quickly ease burning mouth syndrome, per the Mayo Clinic, and clove oil utilized on to the gums or mouth ulcers reduces irritation, per a Might-June 2014 comparative research within the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology.

Contemplating hormone remedy

For those who’re having different menopause signs alongside mouth issues, it’d time to speak together with your physician a few low dose of estradiol or different hormone alternative remedy (HRT). It might simply assist out your tooth, too. Whereas the analysis is proscribed, one older 1998 research in Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry discovered girls who used HRT throughout menopause had a 24 p.c decrease threat of tooth loss than those that did not take it.

You and your physician will be capable to determine whether or not making an attempt HRT is best for you, primarily based in your symptom severity.

When to see the dentist about oral well being points in menopause

For those who’re in perimenopause or menopause and begin to have dental points like swollen and sore gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, or tooth sensitivity, you will need to flag them together with your dentist and your OB/GYN or primary-care physician. That approach, your total workforce can assist decide if hormones are the perpetrator, or one other underlying well being difficulty.

And should you’ve acquired extreme ache, swelling, or trauma to your tooth or gums, get in to see your dentist as quickly as doable, says Dr. Croley. It’s best to by no means postpone true emergencies. Fast dental care can assist forestall everlasting problems down the street.

“Menopause is a time to double down on wholesome habits, preventative care, and empower girls to make the healthiest decisions for themselves, with shared decision-making and steering from trusted suppliers,” Dr. Noble says.