Menopause affects pretty much every part of you, from your emotions to your body temperature. And your teeth are no exception. Dental and oral symptoms ranging from producing less saliva to something called burning mouth syndrome (we’ll get into this!) can all be caused by your changing hormones during this phase of life, but most people aren’t aware of this.
In fact, 84 percent of women over 50 didn’t know that menopause can affect their oral health, according to a 2023 report by Delta Dental. But, knowledge is power, and it’s a good reminder to take care of your mouth, especially if you’re in menopause.
These are the dental and oral symptoms to look out for during menopause—and what you can do about them.
Meet the expert: Chloe Tsang, DMD, is a dentist at Tend in New York City.
How Menopause Affects Your Teeth And Mouth
Women going through menopause might experience things like dry mouth, gingivitis and gum disease, tooth sensitivity or pain, osteoporosis in the mouth, bleeding gums, and altered taste, says Chloe Tsang, DMD, a dentist at Tend in New York City. These changes happen gradually, if at all, as estrogen levels drop.
“Decreasing estrogen has so many different complex effects, but really it affects our bone density as well as inflammation,” says Dr. Tsang. Your teeth are supported by bone, so a decrease in bone density could cause them to be less supported (and more mobile) as well as lead to gum infections caused by bacteria getting in between your gums and teeth. This could lead to gingivitis or periodontitis, says Dr. Tsang.
Estrogen also plays a key role in regulating inflammation. So, as it decreases during menopause, inflammation can increase and, in turn, impact gum health. You might experience puffy gums or a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth and bleeding, according to Dr. Tsang.
Another oral symptom that can come with menopause is burning mouth syndrome, which is characterized by a burning, scalding, tingling, or sharp sensation in the mouth, says Dr. Tsang. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, but it is also thought to be related to the hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause.
How To Take Care Of Your Teeth During Menopause
If you’re not experiencing any symptoms, don’t worry—they don’t happen for everyone. If they do, they might not be very severe.
Women most often experience dry mouth—and the best fix for that is to drink more water, which can prevent more issues down the line, says Dr. Tsang. “Once the mouth is dry, it’s a great breeding ground for bacteria to thrive,” she says. “They love that kind of environment.” If bacteria start to build up, that’s when you can start to see issues with gum disease.
Overall, taking care of your teeth during menopause is pretty much the same as you’ve been doing your whole life: Make sure to brush twice a day, floss once daily, and use a mouthwash, says Dr. Tsang. She also recommends tongue scraping, and of course, going to regular dental checkups, especially if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms. If you are experiencing burning mouth syndrome, dry mouth, or bleeding, it’s a good idea to see your dentist.
Olivia Luppino is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health where she covers health and fitness. She previously wrote for The Cut, POPSUGAR, and Salon and has written about everything from New York Fashion Week to dating app trends to the United States Women’s National Soccer team (a.k.a. her heroes). When she isn’t writing, Olivia is likely catching up on Bravo shows or running late to barre class.
