Menopause, a phenomenon that occurs in middle-aged and older women as they age, is medically referred to as the “menopausal transition” or “menopause.” According to the Seoul National University Hospital Medical Information website, the menopausal transition is the period beginning when ovarian hormone secretion starts to decline due to aging and lasting up to one year after the last menstrual period. It typically begins in the mid-to-late 40s and progresses gradually, lasting an average of 4 to 7 years. During menopause, regular exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, and a healthy diet are essential, as is active gynecological care.
However, there isn’t much awareness of the need for dental care during menopause. The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine addressed the correlation between menopause and oral health in a blog post last April.
The university explained that menopause is closely linked to dental health. Common oral health issues associated with menopause include dry mouth, gum sensitivity and recession, tooth sensitivity, changes in taste, and bone density loss. Dry mouth occurs when saliva production decreases due to lower levels of the female hormone estrogen, resulting in a dry mouth and an increased risk of cavities and gum disease. Hormonal changes during menopause can also make gums more sensitive or cause existing gum disease to worsen. However, women do not typically associate bleeding gums or gum recession with menopause. In addition, they may experience increased tooth sensitivity or loose teeth due to decreased bone density.
Recently, The Washington Post (WP) ran a story on menopause—including estrogen loss—and dental health. In the article, Purniama Kumar, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (and Chair and Professor of the Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry), pointed out that “estrogen loss is a major factor in many of the changes observed in the mouth.” According to one study, more than 40% of menopausal women report oral discomfort—such as dry mouth, reduced saliva production, a lowered pain threshold, and changes in taste—while only 6% of premenopausal women experience these symptoms. The newspaper also reported that postmenopausal women face a higher risk of conditions such as jawbone osteoporosis, gum inflammation, and tooth decay.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine also offered tips for oral health during menopause. These include staying hydrated, practicing good oral hygiene, using fluoride toothpaste, getting regular dental checkups, eating a balanced diet, and taking hormone replacement therapy. Among these, staying hydrated helps alleviate dry mouth; the university recommended running a humidifier at night and chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production.
It is also important to consistently care for your teeth, which can become weaker due to hormonal changes. The university recommended brushing twice a day, as well as flossing daily and using an antibacterial mouthwash. In addition, using fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen tooth enamel, which is particularly beneficial for women with dry mouth.
Regular dental checkups are essential. They are especially important during menopause. Regular scaling and checkups allow for the early detection and treatment of dental diseases. The university also emphasized that early detection of teeth-related symptoms caused by menopause and prompt medical consultation can lead to more successful treatment. This is because neglecting conditions that can be treated quickly may cause them to worsen or require prolonged treatment.
Adila Baig, Clinical Assistant Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (and Director of the Special Care and Geriatric Clinic), also pointed out in an interview with the WP that women often grind their teeth due to stress, anxiety, and sleep problems commonly associated with menopause, noting that this carries the risk of leading to temporomandibular joint disorders or microfractures in the teeth. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, your dentist may recommend a “night guard” to wear while sleeping. Wearing this device at night minimizes tooth wear and helps alleviate headaches, jaw pain, and other temporomandibular joint disorders.
However, menopause does not affect women’s teeth in the same way for everyone. It is also impossible to predict exactly how declining estrogen levels will affect oral health. This is why patients need dental care tailored to their individual circumstances.
While women going through menopause experience physical changes and difficulties—including oral health issues—due to hormonal changes, survey results show that many women do not discuss these issues sufficiently. According to a 2024 survey by Dental Insurance, two out of five women aged 40 and older reported feeling uncomfortable or reluctant to discuss oral health issues related to menopause. However, 53% of dentist respondents said they would not discuss the effects of menopause on teeth unless female patients brought up the topic first.
The decline in workplace productivity caused by the physical and emotional symptoms associated with menopause and oral health during this period is also significant. The report found that, based on a 12-month survey, 22% of postmenopausal women and 20% of perimenopausal women had missed work due to menopausal symptoms. Additionally, 27% of women aged 40–49 in the survey had taken time off work due to dental issues within the past 12 months. Open and proactive communication about menopause, coupled with appropriate dental care, could further improve these women’s health, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Writer. Hyuntaek Lee
<A former newspaper journalist who worked for 18 years at JoongAng Ilbo>, <and Chosun Ilbo>. She is currently working as a freelance contributor and planning the second act of her life. In addition to journalism, she has worked in public relations and marketing at JTBC Broadcasting and Edelman Global Advisory in the United States.
