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Difficulty in sleeping, mood swings, and hot flushes are some of the signs of menopause that most women experience. There are also women in their menopause who report changes in their gums and teeth.
Are such experiences associated with menopause, or are they nothing more than exemptions?
While some people may easily dismiss such cases as mere coincidences, research has established that hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect your oral health.
As you transition into menopause, you're likely to experience a new kind of sensation in your mouth, something you may not have encountered in your early life. People experience such changes differently, though. For some, the shifts are minor and not readily noticeable, while for others, they're extreme and a source of worries.
If you're in your menopause and noticing some uncomely changes in your teeth, you don't have to panic. The first and most important thing to do is to visit a dentist. Doing so provides an opportunity for your dentist to examine your dental health to establish whether your condition is a result of menopause or a different health issue. Getting such an understanding is essential if you're to pursue the right remedy.
Either way, it's good to know some of the dental health challenges associated with menopause. Below are a few of the most common among those who've hit that advanced age.
Sensitive Gums
Gum sensitivity is one of the most common dental problems that characterise menopause. You may experience inflammation or bleeding on your gums, with the bleeding happening even without any pressure applied. The gums may also recede and, thus, cause severe health problems. The sudden changes you experience on your gums at the onset of menopause are a result of the drop in oestrogen levels linked to this stage.
Even though women in their menopause are prone to such dental challenges, the good thing is that they're treatable. If you notice sudden sensitivity in your gums or experience some periodontal problems, there is no need to panic. That's just a wake-up call that it's time to visit your dentist in Parramatta.
Tooth Loss
The drop in oestrogen levels during menopause generally makes your bones, including your jaw, weaker. If you don't take immediate action, your teeth may start to fall off one after the other. And if you've been wearing dentures, you may also realise that they're no longer fitting. Granted, this isn't common among women who're still going through menopause, but rather during the post-menopausal phase.
Whatever the case, you should be vigilant about such symptoms because some women start experiencing them early.
It's, therefore, recommended that you visit your preferred dental clinic Parramatta as soon as you notice any of these dental health issues.
What You Can Do
Due to the dental problems you're likely to experience during menopause, you should raise the bar when it comes to your oral hygiene. Although most of these changes are hormone-related, poor oral health can exacerbate the situation. On that backdrop, it becomes clear that menopause is, indeed, the time for you to do everything within your means to keep your gums and teeth bacteria-free.
Don't reduce the number of times you're brushing or flossing your teeth every day. Ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, also cleaning your mouth after every meal.
Don't cut down on your flossing, and invest in dentist prescribed toothpaste. In addition to your home oral care, make it a point never to miss your dental appointment.
Also, seek the attention of a dentist as soon as you experience anything peculiar in your oral health.
Apart from dental treatment for the bleeding gums and tooth loss, your dentist may recommend hormone replacement therapy, which is a more permanent solution. The replenishment of oestrogen generally improves the bone density of menopausal women, preventing tooth loss and gingival inflammation. The procedure is a great relief as you'll not have to visit your dentist over complications frequently.
During menopause, you must also be very conscious of the foods you eat. Ensure your diet contains foods that are rich in calcium to help in maintaining bone health.
