Menopause, which usually begins between 45 and 55 years, is associated with lower estrogen levels, decreasing the anti-inflammatory effect that this hormone has on the female body. This directly affects the gums and as with estrogen, progesterone is also reduced, decreasing bone density, generating osteoporosis and decreasing the density of the mandibular bone which directly affects oral health and results into teeth breaking.
This estrogen deficiency in women produces very significant alterations in oral health: less salivary secretion, changes in the chemical composition of this, symptoms of dryness and burning.
These factors will make you start to notice new discomfort in the mouth, with the onset of menopause. The most prominent and are more common discomforts are:
Atrophic gingivitis: With an abnormal pallor in the gums and the mouth in general.
Postmenopausal gingivostomatitis: Characterized by bright and dry gums, easy bleeding and color ranging from pale to red. Mouth discomfort, with burning sensation, dryness and bad taste in the mouth.
Thinning of the oral mucosa: Becoming more fragile.
Gingival Recession: Causes the root of the tooth to be exposed and appear to have problems of sensitivity or root caries.
Dry mouth or xerostomia: A problem that, although not very serious, is very uncomfortable and can lead to a symptom of the burning mouth.
Loss of alveolar bone and reabsorption of the alveolar ridge: The loss of alveolar bone in the woman directly influences the oral health, being able to do, in the most serious cases that we lose our teeth due to breaking of teeth.
| Periodontitis is one of the most serious conditions we can have after menopause. |
Other oral conditions in menopause
In addition to the diseases discussed above, we must take into account the medications of the branch of bisphosphonates, which can generate a disease called osteonecrosis of the jaws. It is important that in case you are dealing with these medications you should notify your dentist before starting any oral health treatment.
We must also keep plate levels low. That means thorough oral hygiene and more regular visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings.
Another important change is if you use contraception. These are composed of synthetic hormones similar to estrogens and progesterone in women. They usually generate inflammation in the gums, and although it is not a "serious" problem it is annoying because of its duration in time. Gum inflammation is also associated with alterations in blood vessels and surrounding tissues, reducing the ability of tissue to recover.
There will also be important changes in the composition of the oral bacteria, dark areas in the gums known as gingival melanosis, and will increase the fruit of the sensitivity of the gums and changes in saliva, greater and more frequent infections mouth.
Thus, the specific diseases to which we are going to be more prone with the advent of menopause are the following:
Burning mouth syndrome: It is common in women who suffer from postmenopause when menses have completely finished. The most prominent symptoms of oral burning are intense burning and a burning sensation on the tongue and lips. In the most severe cases, these symptoms can reduce the capacity of food intake due to the dryness and the pain that this produces.
Dry mouth: In this case, the salivary glands that produce saliva, reduce their activity, producing very little liquid, this makes our mouth dry constantly even if we drink liquids. It is also known as xerostomia and can generate other problems when chewing, swallowing, talking or tasting the food, causing us great pain and discomfort, with cuts on the lips.
Desquamative gingivitis: In the menopause period and during the menopause because of the decrease in hormone levels, this disease occurs. It consists of the loss or separation of the outer layers of the gums. When you lose the most interior and sensitive layers are exposed along the nerves, making any contact with food and liquids is a real ordeal. It may be the case that the gum tissue that holds the dental pieces becomes so weak that it can be detached only by touching it, by brushing our teeth. This problem can be aggravated in a periodontitis.
| Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent the occurrence of oral diseases. |
Periodontal diseases and loss of dental pieces: Come to one of the worst cases, density changes in the bones, ie osteoporosis can create excessive wear. This lack of bone density will make the rest of diseases become more accentuated and we will be more likely to lose dental pieces.
How to treat and avoid oral menopause symptoms?
We will recommend help to change the diet and enrich it with foods containing vitamin A, E, and C. These strengthen the skin and mucous membranes and can be obtained through specific diets or specific supplements.
1. Choose a toothpaste that has low or medium abrasivity indices, so you will prevent paste
particulates from damaging your gums. Also choose a toothbrush with nylon and polyamide filaments, as they do not damage the enamel, and preferably have polished and round tips to avoid blows to teeth and gums that can damage you even more.
2. Go to the dentist regularly. Generally with one or two annual visits will suffice, more if we detect any specific problem. In these visits, it will be important to arrange a general revision and cleaning of plaque to avoid that it accumulates behind the teeth generally, although we maintain a good dental hygiene.
3. Use specific products for the problem you suffer and quality. Buy them in pharmacies instead of generics, because you will notice the long-term savings avoiding greater evils. Carefully take care of your oral hygiene, devoting the necessary time to cleaning and using appropriate mouthwashes.
4. Finally, hormone replacement therapies are an option to mitigate symptoms, not just the oral problems we are discussing in this article, but also others associated with menopause in general. However, there are other, more natural options, such as the consumption of phytoestrogens.
