Supporting patients going through menopause
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 3rd December 2022
Menopause brings about a number of significant hormonal changes within a woman’s body. These changes can cause a number of symptoms, many of which manifest in the oral cavity.
But what are the signs of menopause that dental professionals should be looking out for and how can we help?
Oral thrush
One unfortunate consequence of the menopause is that individuals become more at risk of developing candida infections in the mouth. These can present in a number of different ways, from itchy, unpleasant looking rashes to soreness around the mouth and a burning sore throat. Luckily, these infections are easily managed with gels from the pharmacy, but we should also be advising patients to frequently replace their toothbrushes until the condition resolves, as this will help to prevent any reinfection.
Xerostomia
Menopause often changes the chemical composition of the saliva.[i] As a side effect of this, many women experience xerostomia. As we’re well aware, saliva is vital in the prevention of tooth decay, so in these situations we should be telling individuals to drink more water and try other ways to increase their saliva production, such as chewing sugar-free gum.
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
This complication of menopause is one of the trickier oral symptoms to solve. Typified by a burning, tender sensation that can affect any, or multiple parts of the mouth, sufferers of BMS often experience constant irritation or pain. BMS often affects women differently, so the condition may only give them temporary discomfort or constant pain during the day.
Unfortunately, this is a case where we would probably have to refer the patient to get the condition checked out. BMS is still rather misunderstood, but a doctor may prescribe various medications to ease symptoms and bring relief.
Menopausal gingivostomatitis
Another fairly common menopausal condition, menopausal gingivostomatitis causes gum inflammation that, if left untreated, can progress to periodontitis and, eventually, tooth loss. As such, we can help women experiencing this symptom by advising about oral hygiene techniques and ensuring that they visit the practice regularly so that they can receive a professional-level clean. There are also mouthwashes on the market that have been specifically formulated to help resolve this issue that we can recommend.
Sensitive teeth
Menopause affects oestrogen levels, which, in turn, significantly speeds up bone loss and increases the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis.[ii] As such, this unfortunately means that individuals going through menopause are more likely to experience fragile teeth and other side effects such as lose teeth and increased decay.
As ever, promoting a good standard of oral hygiene in these cases is paramount. We can also suggest patients use soft-bristled toothbrushes and toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth to help prevent any ongoing sensitivity and pain.
At the end of the day, menopause is a difficult time, and we should be prepared to help individuals support their oral health during this transition period. By knowing the oral symptoms of menopause and offering solutions, we can help ensure that the menopause doesn’t result in unnecessary oral discomfort and long-term consequences.
For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999
Or visit www.endocare.co.uk
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
[i] Healthline. Menopause Can Affect Your Mouth — 6 Symptoms to Watch For. Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-mouth-symptoms [Last accessed September 22].
[ii] Endocrine Society. Menopause and Bone Loss. Link: https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/menopause-and-bone-loss [Last accessed September 22].
