Most of us are aware (in theory) that a good dental hygiene routine includes regular brushing, consistent flossing, and a biannual checkup. Less commonly known is the fact that women’s oral health needs evolve over the course of our lives. Rising estrogen and progesterone levels during puberty and pregnancy (or just being on birth control!) can set the scene for inflammation-related gum conditions; decreasing levels of those same sex hormones during perimenopause and menopause are linked to a host of issues, from dry mouth to heightened sensitivity.
The more you know, the easier it is to identify early symptoms and potentially get ahead of problems. But unless you’re a patient at a highly proactive dental practice, chances are this information flies under the radar until you’re in the thick of symptoms yourself. In fact, 2024 survey data from dental insurance company Delta Dental revealed that 84 percent of women ages 50 and up didn’t realize the connections between menopause and oral health. Nor were the vast majority aware that menopause can increase the risk of myriad health conditions like gum disease, jawbone density, tooth loss, and more.
Only three percent of women surveyed said they’d ever discussed menopause-related oral health symptoms with their dentist or hygienist, but even if you do, the conversation might not be helpful. When Sarah Chavarria, Delta Dental’s CEO, brought up menopause at a recent appointment, she felt that the information was treated like a “non-consideration.” The experience made her realize that women (and dentists) could use a nudge to delve more deeply into the topic, together.
We spoke with Chavarria about the symptoms menopausal women might expect, how to advocate for comprehensive care that relates to your stage of life, and why it’s so vital to treat your dental visit as a preventative checkup.
Okay, off the bat: What are the oral health issues that can crop up when women are entering perimenopause or going through menopause?
Any changes in their gums at all; any tooth decay; an abscess; any sensitivity. Tooth loss would obviously be really severe and definitely something to discuss. Dry mouth is super common, because of reduced saliva production, which is a common symptom as we get older, and something to talk about with the dentist and/or hygienist. We had one woman write into our survey that she had a burning tongue, had been going to the doctor over and over again, and was so relieved to finally hear from the dentist that it was a symptom of menopause. nd dampening her self-worth, all to be loved.” Her relationships are replete with uneven power dynamics; the men are older, or richer, or both.
We know that seeing a dentist regularly correlates to better health outcomes broadly. But can you explain the connection?
So, this is incredibly important: The mouth has long been treated as detached from the body — like, you go and get braces, get your teeth cleaned, they move your tongue around, and that’s that. But I think what people miss about going to the dentist is that it’s actually a big part of your preventative healthcare.
You’re not just going in for your cleaning or whitening or veneers. They’re screening for cancer. Your dentist or hygienist might be the first person who recognizes you have preconditions like gum disease that can point to heart disease or diabetes.
I’m thinking about how my Instagram feed is full of cosmetic-centered dental care, like invisible braces and whitening products. But not really anything on the health front.
I know, all that teeth whitening! But anyway, yes, your mouth is a gateway to overall health. People go twice a year to their dentist and might skip going to their doctor, and that’s very important to know because if you’re going to those visits and only thinking about getting your teeth cleaned or whatever, you miss the moment to bring up a symptom or concern. You’re missing a health care check.
My mother told me once that her dentist was the person who tipped her off to the fact that she was pregnant with me.
Absolutely! They see a lot of things you might not think about during those appointments.
Talking to your gynecologist or primary care physician about your reproductive stage is kind of a no-brainer. But I would never have thought to bring it up with my dentist. Any pointers on broaching the subject?
Look, not everybody is willing to walk into the dentist’s office and boldly say: Here’s what’s going on with me. If you’re not that person, maybe send an email beforehand that says something like: These are some things I’m experiencing that I’d like my dentist or hygienist to walk through with me.
Also, when the dentist asks you to complete a health questionnaire — which, by the way, should be part of your appointments — be honest. Make sure to make a notation that you are probably in or most likely in perimenopause or menopause.
Okay, so your dentist or hygienist recognizes something that should point you toward internal medicine as a follow-up step. What’s next?
It’s important to note that medical and dental records aren’t in a state where they’re always very well-connected. So ask for your dental notes or a printout, because you might want to take that documentation to your PCP. You might have something like gum disease that is an indicator of a heart condition, which I know, as a menopausal woman, we think about all the time, and heart attacks show up differently in women than they do in men. Connecting the dental notes to overall health is just so important. At the end of the day, you’re the patient: Getting information or validation from the dentist about what you’re experiencing can help you with next steps or just to close a loop.
Beyond just paying attention to oral health changes, what else should women be doing to ensure they’re staying on top of their dental routine as we age?
l’ll say, personally, as someone who is 53, that I was really diligent about regular visits to my dentist, especially when I was going through perimenopause. One thing I admire about the Gen Z and Millennial population of women is they talk about things — and I think some of us who are older can learn a lot from that. It’s never too early to make oral health care part of your overall health wellness care.
Our survey focused on women 50 and older: 70 percent of them said they wished they would have taken better care of their teeth when they were younger. The basic routine is always to brush twice a day — and please use a very soft toothbrush, lightly! — and floss once per day. Make sure you have those two visits per year scheduled. Also, I would say: Stay hydrated! Once you hit 40, making sure that you’re well-hydrated is great for dry mouth and your overall health.
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