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Learn about the connection between periodontal health, hormones, menopause and HRT.
Warning signs such as dry and burning mouth, bleeding gums, gum disease and what you should do.
Tips to get your mouth back on track during perimenopause, menopause and beyond.
Resources and References - Documented research into Menopause and Oral Health.
Access to Vision insights in Menopause.
Writing my SubStack has always been about creating inspirations and drawing on insights from my own experiences and research in life. Providing a springboard for information, connection, discussion to NOURISH U so that you can NOURISH LIFE.
So this week l’m focusing and highlighting the connection between Teeth, Mouth, Eyes and Menopause, drawn from personal experience and research. And how we (sisters) need to advocate for more research on Oral Health, Hormones and the Menopause, to protect not only our teeth, gums and bones but our general health.
2025 has not quite started the way l had imagined however, that being said what l’ve learn’t about myself, my body, mind and mouth has been both invaluable and painful (but in a good way!).
I’ve always tried to be healthy, exercising regularly, eating a health diet and reducing my intake of alcohol. However, when we are in the menopause cycle of events we often have to rethink our habits along with the type of exercise we do, the duration as well as diet and nutrition. So why don’t we take more notice of our oral health during this transition? My experience of going through some problems alongside researching these questions has lead to some very profound answers.
Mouth, Teeth, Menopause and Other Factors - Setting the Stage
My journey with my mouth in menopause started late November 2024, after having a few problems with one tooth in particular. I suppose l had been lucky up to that point as l had experienced very few problems (partly because my mama always looked after my teeth with appointments and so forth from an early age). As far as l can remember l only had one set of treatments over 30 years ago, and they were to deep clean my gums at my local dental hospital. Since then l had no fillings although l could have done better with trips to the Hygienist. Moving areas just before Covid, l was stuck, with no NHS nor private dentists available. It has become a sorry state of affairs in the UK where access to Dentistry is very restricted (unless you have the money to pay privately). However, l was able to see a hygienist coming out of lockdown. Unfortunately, by that time it had been almost 5 years since my last clean and that coupled with starting perimenopause during the beginning of Covid, my teeth were not in a good state.
Back to November 2024, after finally finding a dentist, l was informed after a very thorough examination that l needed a Root Canal, and some treatment for my gums, although my mouth was Cancer free. Did l mention all of this happened a few days before my flight to Costa Rica, so l was advised against having the root canal or the other option, an extraction until l returned.
Meanwhile the lovely dentist gave me two courses of antibiotics, including a spare box to take with me to clear the infection which had spread. However, upon my return l was in so much pain, this time the same side as the infected bottom tooth but the upper jaw. Again my lovely dentist (so lucky l found him) said hmm, you have an infection in a small pocketing area, which we need to attend too asap and you must go to the hygienist. By this time l was almost in tears, frightened that finally my mouth and teeth were giving up on me. Or perhaps, they were instead trying to signal me to take prompt action to protect my overall general health.
Finally, we decided we could not save my tooth as the infection had penetrated deeper than we first thought, so an extraction was recommended and successfully achieved. Thankfully l’m now on a treatment plan with the dental therapist for some major treatments with my gums so l can save my bones…..l’m on my way to restoring balance in my mouth and hopefully helping my general health in the process.
Warning signs to visit the dentist, periodontal health, and HRT
A bit in denial, l thought oh l’ll be ok my teeth have always been ok, but l wasn’t really being truthful to myself, why? Well because l had noticed that l had been waking up with a awful dry mouth and seemed to have a burning sensation in my mouth that just seemed to come out of nowhere.
Moreover, there was just something different about how my mouth was feeling in general. Women are often more intuitive than men when it comes to things like that. On closer inspection, l began to see my gums were beginning to recede and bleed, something that l didn’t have before.
Dental anxiety began to creep in and then slowly overtake my thoughts, giving me mini panic attacks and a real fear for the dentist (something that l had never had before).
So what was happening?
Is/was there a connection between Menopause and oral symptoms?
Furthermore, have you ever considered that the build up of harmful bacteria can also contribute to vulnerability for heart and neurological conditions such as strokes and heart disease.
In a review of oral health and menopause data, the most common oral health symptom was periodontal health, with up to 60% of women experiencing symptoms [2]. Periodontal heath refers to that of the gums and connective tissues, which can experience significant change during the menopause.
If your mouth is dry, you may notice clicking or difficulty in speaking, food may not taste the same and the dryness can affect swallowing. Overall, your mouth can feel more sensitive and your gums may bleed more when brushing.
Chronic gum problems can lead to destruction of the bone supporting your teeth, known as periodontitis. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss – studies have suggested more than one in four (28%) post-menopausal women are likely to suffer from tooth loss within five years [3].
- Dentist Dr Shabnam Zai
The problems that l personally experienced is what finally lead me to start taking HRT. Within 48 hours something miraculous happened, l woke up on the 3rd morning with no more dry and burning mouth and reduced pain. After researching deeper, l found that it is the lack of oestrogen and progesterone that can impact and reduce production of saliva and increase inflammation which can cause other dental problems.
You can access the full article here oral health and the menopause on Dr Louise Newsons website and app BALANCE.
What’s interesting here is that there does appear to be a link via one study that taking the good HRT (body identical) lowers/reduces periodontal disease.
References
1. Delta Dental Breaking the Stigma: Let’s Talk about Menopause and Oral Health
2. Dutt P, Chaudhary S, Kumar P. (2013), ‘Oral health and menopause: a comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management’, Ann Med Health Sci Res. Jul; 3(3):320-3. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.117926
3. Bole C, Wactawski-Wende J, Hovey KM, Genco RJ, Hausmann E. Clinical and community risk models of incident tooth loss in postmenopausal women from the Buffalo Osteo Perio Study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2010 Dec;38(6):487-97. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2010.00555.
4. Dutt P, Chaudhary S, Kumar P. (2013), ‘Oral health and menopause: a comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management’, Ann Med Health Sci Res. Jul; 3(3):320-3. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.117926
Other Key Facts
If you floss just once a week (the recommendation of course is for every day) have a significant lower risk of a stroke and developing atrial fibrillation.
Researchers now believe that reducing oral bacteria and gum inflammation may play a role in protection brain and heart health.
Tips to get your mouth back on track during perimenopause, menopause and beyond
l was shocked when l finally got to see my dental therapist told and he told me that l was simply not cleaning my teeth correctly! He then preceded to show me really in great depth and detail when to clean and how.
A few of my takeaways from the my last 3 months on this journey:
Speak to your doctor if you are either not on HRT or perhaps on a lower dosage and having any of the symptoms.
Make more of an effort to have regular screening with a dentist every 6 months if you are experiencing any of the problems l’ve listed.
In addition seek a professional that has experience in Dental Therapy as well as Dental Hygiene, as they train in dental/bone anatomy diagnosis.
Review your teeth cleaning with your dental hygienist.
Check when you last changed your tooth head (if electric) and the shape, l was told l was using the wrong shape for my mouth surprisingly. (New electric toothbrush Oral IOS 6 incoming as we speak).
Start Dry brushing, wiggle the dry brush around the gum tooth outline and in between to remove the brown slime which is the bacteria.
Use electric flossers and normal flossing
My favourite the Tepe bristle flossers.
Oil pulling (with coconut oil), although some dentists may not agree the ones l’ve spoken too generally do recommend using because of the anti bacterial benefits. Basically you swish 10ml or a tablespoon of oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes, then spit out into a bin not in the sink as otherwise it will clog up your pipes. I generally do 10-15 minutes a day. YOU DO NOT INGEST IT!
The idea is that the bacteria which is like a light brown slime that can cause tooth decay, gum disease and a whole load of dental nasties is then removed naturally, rooted from the Ayurvedic tradition the results are positive. Using this practice also helps boost your immune system and fight inflammation (something that we experience more of during the menopause cycle. Oh and did l mention it also whitens your teeth naturally.
So if something doesn’t feel right, make some notes and then go see a professional.
Conclusion
More research needs to be taken into the role of hormones in Oral Health, therefore please do kindly share or comment if this resonates or you know of anyone struggling with the general/dental health. Lets advocate to protect our teeth, bones, brain and heart during these years.
saw your recent post so l wanted to contribute my personal experience of these issues.VISION AND MENOPAUSE
l’ve now written a few pieces that have introduced considerations for Vision Health especially in perimenopause and menopause, you can check them out below.
You might also want to check out my free mini ebook blending Vision Science and Holistic Practices for healthy eyes, below. Learn more about the meridian’s, Acupuncture points, diet and nutrition for the Organs related to Vision.
Nourish Your Vision For Life Guide Feb 2025
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Nourish And Navigate Your Vision Through Life's Natural Cycles
“There is a huge array of symptoms linked to menopause, but few women make a connection between their fluctuating hormones and their eye health. In fact, research, conducted by Eye Health UK in collaboration with Thomas Pocklington Trust, found 86 percent of women were unaware there was a connection between the two, despite ‘the Change’ being said to trigger conditions such as Dry Eye syndrome, Glaucoma and Cataracts.”
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