As women move into midlife they begin to experience hormone changes caused by menopause and perimenopause. This decrease in estrogen is famous for causing hot flashes, mood swings, and a number of uncomfortable symptoms.
What you may not know is that these hormone changes can also
impact your oral health. Regular dental exams and professional teeth cleaning
are even more important as your hormone levels decline.
The following conditions are commonly associated with menopausal women:
Dry or Burning Mouth – decreasing saliva production can lead
to an uncomfortable feeling of dryness or burning that can also alter
taste.
Cavities – saliva plays an important role in cavity
prevention and as it decreases your cavity risk goes up.
Periodontal Disease – reduced hormone levels increase the
risk of inflammation and gum disease.
Periodontal gum disease is an infection that can get into your blood
stream easily and research has linked it to many serious medical conditions, making its prevention a priority.
Receding Gums – hormone changes can also make gums more
vulnerable to recession. When they
recede, new areas of your teeth are exposed to cavity causing bacteria.These gumline cavities happen where teeth
are narrow and the nerve is close by, increasing your risk of pain and tooth loss.
Bone Loss – osteoporosis can put your teeth at risk the same
way it does bones throughout your body.
Teeth are held in place by bone and when it is diminished they no longer
have the support they need to stay in place.
If you are experiencing midlife hormone changes, it is especially important to stay current with all recommended dental visits, including
exams and professional cleanings. Your
teeth and health may depend on it.
Our goal is to help you prevent what you can and catch any other challenges as early as possible, while they are still relatively easy to resolve.
If you have any concerns or are looking for a
great dentist in the Rocklin area, we would love to help. Give us a call! (916) 624-3119
