How Menopause Can Affect Your Smile (Yes, Really)
Did you know menopause can affect your smile?
I know - as if women need one more thing to worry about when it comes to menopause and their changing body - but, it’s true and most women aren’t hearing much about it. When we think of menopause symptoms, we typically imagine the hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, or stubborn weight gain. But one symptom that’s rarely discussed is oral health changes during menopause, and they can be dramatic.
I’m curious, have you noticed changes in your oral health since entering perimenopause or menopause?
The Link Between Estrogen, Oral Health, and Menopause
One of estrogen’s many roles is to maintain healthy gums and a balanced oral microbiome, however during menopause, estrogen levels decline, and with that drop, so does saliva production. (1)
This is important because saliva…
washes away food particles
neutralizes acids that cause tooth decay
contains antimicrobial proteins that protect against bad bacteria
Without enough saliva, your mouth can become a breeding ground for gum disease, cavities, and even bad breath. This is why dry mouth in menopause isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be a sign for changes in the oral microbiome. (2)
Gut Health, the Microbiome, and Your Mouth
Research also shows that changes in the gut microbiome during menopause can trigger dysbiosis— an imbalance of good and bad bacteria—which doesn’t just stay in the gut. These bacteria can translocate into the mouth, increasing the risk of periodontal disease and inflammation. (3)
Bone Loss During Menopause Affects Your Teeth
Most of us are aware of the importance of estrogen in maintaining bone health, so it follows that as we lose estrogen we are at risk of losing bone throughout the body, and that includes in the jawbone. As estrogen drops:
bone resorption accelerates
jawbone density decreases (4)
Both can lead to loose teeth, shifting bite alignment, and even tooth loss
Jawbone loss can also be a sign of osteoporosis in other areas of the body. (5)
Oral Health in Menopause: Why It Matters
While many of us do what we can to maintain our oral health, it’s not just about aesthetics. Research links poor oral health in menopause to:
increased risk for heart disease
higher rates of Type 2 diabetes
cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (6)
So, it is true - what’s going on in the mouth is a lens into whole body health.
5 Ways to Protect Oral Health in Menopause
So there is good news! Besides taking good care of your mouth with brushing, flossing and water pik-ing, there are some simple steps you can take to support your oral health.
1. Boost Vitamin C & Collagen Intake
These are vital for gum strength and tissue repair. Eat more citrus, bell peppers, leafy greens, or add a collagen supplement or bone broth to your daily routine.
2. Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes
Manage dry mouth in menopause by increasing water intake and using electrolyte powders with magnesium and potassium to support deep hydration.
3. Support Your Oral & Gut Microbiome
Use probiotic lozenges or saltwater rinses instead of alcohol-based mouthwashes (which destroy good bacteria). Add fermented foods, prebiotics, and fiber to support gut health.
4. Optimize Calcium & Vitamin D
You need both for jaw and tooth bone integrity. Aim for 1,200 mg calcium and 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily (ask your healthcare provider what’s right for you).
5. Do Weight-Bearing Exercise
Walking, strength training, and yoga aren’t just good for your body bones - they help protect your jawbone from osteoporosis and related oral health complications.
6. Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy -
While overall evidence for effects of HRT on oral health is somewhat conflicting, a 2017 study in women over the age of 50 who were receiving estrogen replacement, primarily as a treatment for osteoporosis found that they were 44% less likely to have severe periodontitis than women who were not prescribed estrogen. (8)
Final Thoughts
Supporting your oral health in menopause doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. The key areas to focus on are…
nutrition
hydration
microbiome balance
bone support
smart daily habits
consider HRT to support overall bone health
These small shifts can have a big impact on your confidence, your comfort, and your long-term wellness. If you are ready to go deeper and looking for more support on your health and wellness journey, let’s connect!
Schedule a 1:1 consult and we can talk about your goals, challenges and how I can best support you.
So, I’d love to hear…how are you taking care of your oral health in menopause? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or share your own tips!
Sources:
Ciesielska A, Kusiak A, Ossowska A, Grzybowska ME. Changes in the Oral Cavity in Menopausal Women-A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 27;19(1):253.
Scannapieco, F. A., Torres, G., & Levine, M. J. (2010). Salivary host-defense proteins and periodontal disease. Journal of Periodontology, 66(7), 579-589.
Schreurs MPH, de Vos van Steenwijk PJ, Romano A, Dieleman S, Werner HMJ. How the Gut Microbiome Links to Menopause and Obesity, with Possible Implications for Endometrial Cancer Development. J Clin Med. 2021 Jun 29;10(13):2916.
Zhou, Y., Gao, H., Mihindukulasuriya, K. A., La Rosa, P. S., Wylie, K. M., Vishnivetskaya, T. A., ... & Nelson, K. E. (2021). Biogeography and co-occurrence patterns of human microbiome. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-12.
Munakata M, Tachikawa N, Honda E, Shiota M, Kasugai S. Influence of menopause on mandibular bone quantity and quality in Japanese women receiving dental implants. Arch Osteoporos. 2011;6(1):51-7.
Gianos E, Jackson EA, Tejpal A, Aspry K, O'Keefe J, Aggarwal M, Jain A, Itchhaporia D, Williams K, Batts T, Allen KE, Yarber C, Ostfeld RJ, Miller M, Reddy K, Freeman AM, Fleisher KE. Oral health and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A review. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2021 Apr 5;7:100179.
Tada A, Miura H. The Relationship between Vitamin C and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11;16(14):2472.
Passos-Soares J., Vianna M., Gomes-Filho I., Cruz S., Barreto M., Adan L., Rösing C., Trindade S., Cerqueira E., Scannapieco F. (2017), ‘Association between osteoporosis treatment and severe periodontitis in postmenopausal women’, Menopause, 24(7):p 789-795.
