Menopause and Sensitive Teeth: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments – Healthline

Hot flashes, sleep difficulties, and mood changes are just a few of the common symptoms associated with menopause. But fluctuating hormone levels can also impact some unexpected parts of your body, like your mouth. As your estrogen levels decrease during perimenopause and menopause, you may notice sensitive teeth, painful gums, and other issues.

Some people notice that things taste different during the menopausal transition. You may even develop something called burning mouth syndrome, which is just as unpleasant as it sounds.

Keep reading to learn about the ways menopause may be affecting your mouth and what you can do to find relief.

Regular brushing and flossing, avoiding excess sugar, and getting regular dental cleanings are all ways you can actively protect your oral health. But some things, like hormonal fluctuations, are outside of your control.

In fact, hormonal changes can affect your teeth during several stages of your life. This may happen in the following ways:

A decrease in hormones during perimenopause and menopause can cause a variety of mouth-related changes. This may result in the following symptoms:

If you regularly experience pain after drinking or eating hot or cold items, you could have tooth sensitivity.

Sensitive teeth develop when the dentin, or inner part of the teeth, lose both their protective enamel and cementum coatings. This leaves the nerves within your teeth vulnerable, which can lead to pain and discomfort when you consume cold, hot, or acidic foods.

Menopausal gingivostomatitis is a menopause-related oral health condition that causes gum inflammation. In addition to gum swelling, you may have noticeably pale, shiny, or deep-red gums. Your gums may also bleed easily, especially when you brush or floss.

Hormonal changes during the menopausal transition can also change the way foods taste to you. For example, you may find yourself bothered by salty, sour, or peppery foods. Its also possible for food to taste unusually bitter or metallic.

In some cases, menopause-induced taste changes accompany a condition known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS). As the name suggests, BMS causes burning, pain, and tenderness around your mouth area, including the lips, tongue, and cheeks.

Tooth pain during menopause is related to both hormonal and age-related causes, such as thinning mouth tissues, dry mouth, and osteoporosis.

As estrogen levels decrease, the oral mucosal epithelium may also decrease in thickness. This can make you more sensitive to pain, as well as more vulnerable to infections in your mouth.

Salivary glands are partially dependent on hormones to continue supporting saliva production and maintain consistency.

Lower levels of estrogen can also decrease saliva production in your mouth, causing a condition known as dry mouth. Not only can dry mouth make it uncomfortable to swallow foods and liquids, but it may also contribute to tooth decay when left untreated.

Other problems associated with dry mouth include:

Postmenopausal people are at an increased risk of osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels. This condition weakens bones, which can cause them to break easily.

While you might associate this age-related condition with thinning bones throughout your body, its important not to forget about the bones inside the mouth. In particular, osteoporosis may cause jaw recession, which can decrease the size of your gums and lead to tooth loss.

If youre experiencing menopause-related tooth changes that are significant and interfering with your overall quality of life, its important to reach out to a dentist or doctor to see if treatment can help.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one possible option that may help alleviate multiple menopausal symptoms. However, not everyone is a good candidate for HRT due to the possibility of serious side effects, such as blood clots.

Still, some research does demonstrate the benefits of HRT for postmenopausal oral health issues. One study of 492 postmenopausal people, compared those who received osteoporosis treatments, such as HRT or supplements, to those who received no treatment.

Researchers found that those who received estrogen treatments for osteoporosis prevention also had a significantly lower risk of developing periodontitis, a severe infection of the gums that may also damage your teeth and jawbone.

However, as previous research points out, theres not enough clinical evidence to establish whether HRT is an effective preventive measure for oral health problems following menopause.

If youre interested in HRT, its important to carefully discuss the risks versus benefits with a doctor.

While hormonal changes can lead to changes in your mouth, problems with your teeth and gums arent inevitable.

Its important to see a dentist if youre experiencing any unusual changes in your oral health, such as dry mouth, tooth sensitivity, or pain. They may recommend corrective procedures or medications that can help address these issues.

Additionally, your dentist might recommend the following:

Also, certain lifestyle modifications may help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, such as quitting smoking and cutting back on sugary foods and beverages. If you have dry mouth, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption may also help.

Hormone fluctuations especially a drop in estrogen can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. While these can impact your mood, sleep quality, and body temperature, menopause may also lead to changes in your mouth.

While some menopause-related oral health changes may cause slight discomfort, others, such as dry mouth, can lead to bigger issues with your teeth and gums.

Protecting your oral health during menopause can lead to better outcomes for gums and teeth as you age, as well as better overall quality of life. If lifestyle modifications and regular oral care dont help alleviate your symptoms, see a dentist or doctor for possible prescription treatments.

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Menopause and Sensitive Teeth: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments - Healthline