If you are reading this blog, you probably know already,
that hot flashes and night sweats are not the only changes associated with
menopause. Dental problems, associated with menopause, are not wide known to
the general public, but nevertheless, they are not to be disregarded due to the
substantial physical and emotional discomfort.
Research has long shown that women are at increased risk for
oral health problems because of physiological changes associated with hormonal
fluctuations that occur from puberty through menopause. In fact, a 2009
literature review by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western
Reserve University School of Dental Medicine concluded that postmenopausal
women are even more susceptible to periodontal disease and related conditions.
Burning
mouth symptom, we discussed earlier, is just one of the dental issues,
menopausal women may have to deal.
Some of the other common dental problems women experience
during menopause include:
* Receding gums –
Fluctuations in hormone levels can make gums more sensitive and more vulnerable
to recession, which in turn leaves those areas more susceptible to decay.
* Bone loss – As
estrogen levels decrease, bones become weaker and brittle.
This isn’t limited to your legs and arms. Women going through
menopause can also experience bone loss in the jaw, which can affect how
removable prosthodontics fit. In fact, a 2006 American Dental Association
report noted that postmenopausal osteoporotic women may require new dentures
more often after age 50 than women without osteoporosis.
* Tooth loss –
The rate of whole-body bone loss in postmenopausal women is a predictor
for tooth loss. A 1996 study on the relationship between tooth loss
and bone loss found that “for every 1% per year decrease in whole-body bone
mineral density, the risk of tooth loss increases more than four times.” Other
studies have supported the hypothesis that systemic bone loss may contribute to
tooth loss in healthy individuals, and women with low bone mineral density tend
to have fewer teeth compared to controls.
Gum problems
Tender, bleeding gums, called gingivitis or periodontitis,
can result from lower estrogen production. There may also be loss of tissue,
leading to receding gums.
During menopause, periodontal symptoms can differ for each
woman. Some women may experience heightened gum sensitivity, causing pain with temperature, irritation or for
no apparent reason at all. Other women may experience burning sensations, along
with irritation. Women can also experience recurrent gum infections due to
menopause, which can endanger tooth health. Bleeding is another sign of gum
conditions or disease that may onset with menopause.
Gingivostomatitis is generally seen in children, where there
is swelling and lesions in the mouth; often, these are identical to canker
sores. However, there is a difference in that, this condition is due to
infection by a virus or bacteria. Some menopausal women may develop this
condition in which their gums appear shiny and dry and are prone to quick
bleeding; this is called as menopausal gingivostomatitis.
Gum appearance can be
an indicator of menopause-related gum problems. Changes in gum color
also may occur, causing the gums to look either paler or redder than normal.
Similarly, gums may appear dull with an overly matte finish to them, or
excessively shiny, due to hormonal changes.
Some of the standard
gum problems symptoms caused by menopause:
* Sensitive gums
* Swollen gums
* Pale or red gums
* Bleeding gums
* Painful gums
* Receding gums
* Dull gums
* Shiny gums
* Gum infections
The two primary causes of gum problems are poor oral
hygiene and the lower levels of estrogen caused by
menopause. Estrogen has been shown to have an effect on the tissues of the gums
themselves. Menopause hormonal imbalances can even affect other aspects of oral
health, such as health conditions in the salivary glands and the jawbone.
Oral bone loss
In menopause, estrogen levels decline rapidly, which can
lead to systemic bone loss. The rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women
predicts tooth loss—for every 1%-per-year decrease in whole-body bone mineral
density, the risk of tooth loss increases more than four times. In fact, one of
the researchers found that women with severe osteoporosis were three times more
likely than healthy, age-matched controls to be edentulous (i.e., to have fewer
teeth).
A research study has been posted in the journal Community
Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology which suggests that just over one in four women
who are past menopause are at a severe risk of tooth loss. The study surveyed
just over one thousand post-menopausal women and found that two hundred and
ninety three of them suffered a tooth loss over a five year period.
Other studies from the past have suggested that this
incidence of tooth loss may be linked to bone loss from osteoporosis and
estrogen deficiencies. It is thought that this is the case because such a high
number of women experience post menopausal tooth loss and yet still maintain
better oral health than men their same age.
Oral health hygiene
Although the oral symptoms of menopause seem scary, the
solution is simple: menopausal and postmenopausal women are strongly encouraged
to maintain good dental hygiene.
Good oral hygiene,
including twice-daily brushing and flossing, can go a long way toward helping
gums remain healthy. Scientists suggest that post menopausal women should brush
twice daily as they normally would, but make sure they also are using fluoridated
toothpaste. It is also important for women to clean deep in between teeth with
regular flossing and an interdental tooth brush. Good eating habits as well as
avoiding sugary drinks and foods which can really fuel the bacteria that cause
plaque and speed up the process of tooth decay and loss.
Regular dental check-ups every six months also are vital to
gum health. In some cases, deep cleanings, mouth guards, gum stimulation,
antibiotics or even oral surgery such as gum grafting may be necessary in order
to resolve periodontal issues that arise during menopause. Having teeth cleaned
every six months can surely reduce inflammation and risks of gingivitis.
Getting regular
dental care during menopause is vital. Be sure to inform dental health
professionals of noted changes to gums, teeth, and surrounding tissue. Women
should inform the dentist of medication regimes to avoid the effects of
Bisphosphonates. Women who fear the dentist should bring headphones to the
office during treatment. Another technique for conquering dental fear includes
tensing the muscles on the tops of the legs, lifting the feet of the chair,
holding the posture as long as possible. This simple technique is successful in
allaying common dental office fears.
Hormonal imbalances are the source of gum and dental
disorders during menopause. Attention to oral care and regular treatment can
help manage gum problems. Getting to the root issue of hormone imbalances can
help women to avoid the risk of gum problems. Herbal supplements that natural,
risk-free and safe, reverse gum problems as well as manage a variety of other
hormone related imbalances during menopause. Managing hormone fluctuations at
their source also helps to normalize this difficult, transitional period.
Scientists
also recommend enhancing the diet with useful nutrients, such calcium and vitamin
D to prevent more efficiently the bone erosion in the jaw.
Sources and Additional
Information: