Hormone changes—namely decreasing estrogen—in the body can impact a woman’s entire
body, including the oral cavity. Can menopause impact dental health? You might be surprised
to know that your teeth and gums may experience some changes with the onset of menopause.

Menopause May Cause Dry Mouth

Low levels of estrogen in the body can dry out mucous membranes, including the mouth.
Although not every woman will have dry mouth after menopause, some will experience
noticeable dryness that can impact chewing, swallowing, and speaking.

Dry mouth also affects tooth enamel. Saliva helps to protect our teeth from harmful acids and
bacteria. When the mouth is dry, bacteria are more likely to attack and damage tooth enamel,
which can lead to sensitive teeth and tooth decay.

Fortunately, staying hydrated can help, but visit your dentist if you’re worried that dry mouth is
impacting your smile!

Osteoporosis Can Affect Alveolar Bone

Estrogen doesn’t just help to keep the mucous membranes of the body moist—it also helps to
protect bone density. With a lack of estrogen in the body, menopause can often put women at
risk to experience osteoporosis, a condition in which bones can become thinner and more likely
to break.

However, osteoporosis can affect alveolar bone as well, which is the bone that helps support
teeth in the jaw. If alveolar bone becomes less dense, it can lead to loose teeth and even tooth
loss.

Getting regular checkups with your dentist can help detect any changes such as loose teeth to
help stop loss of bone density and protect your smile (and your body)!

Women May Experience an Increased Risk of Gum Disease After Menopause

Although menopause isn’t likely to cause gum disease, it can worsen existing gum disease. With
nearly half of all American adults having some form of gum disease, many people are living with
gum disease and don’t realize it.

Since menopause can lead to other oral cavity changes such as dry mouth, gum disease may get
worse with menopause. The gums may become more red and begin to pull back from the teeth,
causing tooth sensitivity and gum infections.

Gum disease can also contribute to loose teeth, so if you’re experiencing osteoporosis along
with gum disease after menopause, you may be at a higher risk for tooth loss. Gum disease can
be treated and even reversed, so talk with your dentist about your risk for this condition at your
next appointment.

Menopause brings many changes due to hormonal shifts in the body that end menstruation,
some of which may affect the oral cavity. However, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy
as you transition into menopause by visiting your dentist to take the best possible care of your
smile!

The post Can Menopause Impact Dental Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Due to hormone changes in body, pregnant women experience a variety of oral health concerns. These usually become evident in the second month of pregnancy and continue until delivery. What changes does your mouth experience during your pregnancy?

Increased Risk for Gingivitis

Two hormones have been noted to be responsible for the oral health changes you experience during pregnancy—these are estrogen and progesterone. The increased levels of these hormones can lead to an increased risk for gingivitis. This is because these hormones cause your body to react more aggressively to the plaque that exists in your mouth, creating inflammation and symptoms of gum disease.

Getting checkups during your pregnancy is essential. Research shows that pregnant women who have gingivitis are more likely to give birth to premature babies as well as babies with a low birth weight. Although a dental checkup feels like the last thing on your list, it’s essential to keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy!

Enamel Damage

Many women experience some nausea during pregnancy, although only half experience vomiting. Changes in your oral bacteria in addition to morning sickness can cause increased acidity in your mouth, which can damage your tooth enamel. Your mouth is exposed to gastric acid if you experience morning sickness, which can cause enamel erosion.

If you do experience morning sickness during your pregnancy, rinsing with water afterwards can help. Water with a bit of baking soda is even better, as this can help to neutralize the acid. However, never brush after vomiting! The acid can cause your enamel to weaken, making it easy to brush away. Wait a minimum of 30 minutes before brushing if you vomit.

More Prone to Cavities

As a result of enamel damage, increased acidity in the mouth, and pregnancy cravings, pregnant women can be more prone to cavities. This is also true because of the lack of attention women give to their teeth during pregnancy. Your body nourishes your baby, so taking the best care of yourself is essential! Your dentist can help you determine if you have any cavities or if you’re enamel is getting damaged.

Benign Oral Tumors

Up to 5% of pregnant women experience benign oral tumors during pregnancy. These tumors or lesions can be up to 2cm in width and are usually on the outside of the gums. These lesions are a result of the hormonal imbalances that women experience during pregnancy. Although relatively harmless, you may need treatment for these benign tumors if they are painful or bleeding. Otherwise, they tend to go away after you have your baby.

It’s best if you can visit the dentist to address any oral health problems before conceiving, as pregnancy can often make existing oral health conditions worse! Aim to visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy, particularly after the second month, as this is usually when most women notice problems. And as always, visit your dentist if you’re experiencing any pain or notice any changes in your oral health!

The post Top Oral Cavity Changes During Pregnancy appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.