28 Apr How Menopause Affects Your Oral Health
Did you know that menopause not only presents changes to your general well-being, it also affects your oral health? Hormonal fluctuations that occur with menopause can contribute to oral conditions in dentistry such as dry mouth and gum disease. During menopause, patients should pay close attention their oral health by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting our dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.
Menopause and Gum Disease
Gum disease is a destructive oral health condition that involves the inflammation and infection of gum tissue. During menopause, hormonal changes in the body can make soft oral tissues more susceptible to irritation, which can lead to inflammation and irritation. If gum disease goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can progress into advanced periodontal disease where it ultimately causes tooth loss and destroys soft and hard tissues. As a chronic infection, advanced gum disease is not reversible, only manageable with home-care and professional treatment such as deep cleanings.
Dry Mouth and its Impact on Oral Health
Significant hormonal changes during menopause also lead to chronic dry mouth among many patients. Dry mouth can negatively affect oral health in many ways and may increase a patient’s risk for developing certain dental conditions including periodontal disease and tooth decay. Saliva production plays an integral role in protecting oral tissues and teeth from dental conditions. As a patient’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria, saliva helps rinse the mouth and dilute harmful particles. When saliva production is affected by hormonal fluctuations during menopause, dry mouth can irritate the gums and cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. As bacteria colonize and form plaque deposits along the teeth and gums, patients are at risk for tooth decay and gum disease, especially if plaque is not removed during brushing and flossing because it eventually turns into tartar buildup when exposed to calculus deposits.
Our dentist strongly encourages our patients experiencing menopause to be mindful of their oral health by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting our office regularly for checkups and cleanings. To reserve a cleaning or checkup, contact our friendly dental practice at 210-616-0858 today.