The key facts

  • Estrogen deficiency during menopause weakens the alveolar bones of the jaws and leads to tooth mobility
  • Saliva production in postmenopause decreases by 30–50%, raising the risk of xerostomia, periodontitis, and cavities
  • The doctor recommends home hygiene with an irrigator and floss, professional cleaning, and an annual CBCT scan

How hormonal changes affect the oral cavity

The drop in estrogen levels during menopause affects dental health in several ways at once. This was stated by Magomed Dakhkilgov, chief physician of the German Implantology Center and Candidate of Medical Sciences, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru. According to him, reduced hormone production affects bone tissue formation and bone density, and its deficiency triggers the development of osteoporosis, which also affects the bones of the skull. The bony alveoli of the upper and lower jaws that hold the teeth weaken, teeth become mobile, and oral bacteria join in — inflammation develops that can lead to tooth loss.

The numbers and the role of saliva

The doctor noted that the likelihood of losing teeth after the onset of menopause is higher than before it: if before menopause women are missing an average of 1 tooth, then in those who have entered it the average number of lost teeth rises to 6. Estrogen affects not only the bones but also the amount of saliva and its composition: in postmenopause, 30–50% less of it is produced than before this period. Dry mouth develops — xerostomia — which makes the mucosa more vulnerable and increases the risk of periodontitis and gingivitis. In addition, saliva is needed for the hardness and density of tooth enamel; when it is lacking, cavities and enamel damage become more common.

What the doctor recommends

To reduce the negative impact of menopause on the oral cavity, Dakhkilgov recommended maintaining careful hygiene, using an oral irrigator and dental floss in addition to a toothbrush. According to him, even high-quality home brushing does not eliminate visits to the dentist for professional hygiene — during such procedures new carious lesions are often detected, which are important to treat. Once a year, he advises having a cone-beam computed tomography scan (CBCT), which will show changes in the bone tissue.