Menopause is a hormonal event you can't avoid. What you can do, however, is manage your health in a way that lets you adapt to your new hormonal profile. One area you need to pay close attention to is your oral health. Here's what your dentist may want you to know about menopause.

An Increased Risk of Gum Disease

Did you know that your cheeks and gums contain oestrogen receptors? Oestrogen is a hormone your ovaries produce and it starts to drop when menopause begins. When estrogen interacts with the receptors in your cheeks and gums, it powers them to produce agents that fight bad bacteria.

Unfortunately, having fewer of those anti-bacterial agents means you're at a higher risk of gum disease. This means taking good care of your oral health becomes more important than ever. If you're finding that your usual dental products aren't as effective, discuss alternatives with your dentist.

A Mouth That Becomes Dryer

A reduction in both oestrogen and progesterone can mean that your salivary glands don't work as hard. Having less saliva in your mouth means your risk of oral infection and caries increases. As saliva plays a role in tissue repair and balancing your mouth's pH, having less of it can negatively affect your enamel.

To combat having less saliva, make sure you stay well-hydrated. You should also consider reducing your diuretic intake, which means less caffeine and alcohol. If possible, take a look at how much salt you're adding to your food too.

Teeth and Surrounding Bones Become Weaker

Overall, declining oestrogen levels can result in weaker bones throughout your body. This includes your jaw bone, and as your jaw bone plays a role in stabilising your teeth, this means your teeth are more likely to fall out. 

Fortunately, going through menopause doesn't mean that your teeth falling out is a foregone conclusion. There are ways you can reduce your risk of it happening, such as increasing your calcium and vitamin D. Make sure you see your dentist regularly too and ask them for advice on how to protect your jaw and teeth during menopause.

How menopause affects your oral health tends to vary between people. However, its arrival is a good opportunity to address underlying oral health problems and tackle them before a reduction in oestrogen has a major effect. In addition to speaking to your dentist, make sure you talk to your doctor about treatment options.