"Menopause & Dental Health: Top Tips to Protect Your Smile"

 Menopause may affect your dental health: Top tips to combat the hormonal effects on your smile 

 

 Menopause can affect your dental health and cause problems like dry mouth and receding gums.  Here's how to keep your grin sound amid this time.

 Hot flashes and night sweats are  the best-known symptoms of menopause. But you also need to take care of your teeth and gums. "I don't know if people realize that," says Dr. Thomas Sollecito, chairman of the Department of Oral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Hormonal changes, especially a sudden drop in estrogen levels, can reduce bone density and saliva production and damage gums, all of which can affect your teeth. Oral care experts say there are ways to counter these effects and keep your  mouth healthy during menopause. 

Regular dental checkups, fluoride treatments, and good oral care are essential to prevent menopausal dental problems. 

Regular dental checkups, fluoride treatments, and good oral care are essential to prevent menopausal dental problems. 

Menopause, Perimenopause, Dental Symptoms 

Menopause occurs when a woman does not menstruate for 12 consecutive months. But some  hormone-related dental problems may begin during perimenopause, when the ovaries' production of estrogen gradually declines, says Dr. Maiara Hister-Cockrell, Dentist at Texas Health University San Antonio. 

Get unlimited access to Hindustan Times e-newspapers and archives for 1199/- per year. 

One of the biggest concerns is reduced saliva production, which Sollecito describes as "one of the most important fluids in our body." Slower saliva flow leads to dry mouth, which increases the risk of sore mouth, oral yeast infections, and tooth decay. These risks are further increased if you are taking medication for high blood pressure or diabetes, says Hister-Cockrell, and those medications can also cause dry mouth. 

Less saliva  means less  bacteria-killing enzymes and teeth-strengthening minerals, says Dr. Sally Crum, a periodontist in Washington, D.C. A dry mouth "allows bacteria to grow and makes you more susceptible to cavities, which can become infected and lead to tooth loss," she said. Promoted 

Uses of Potatoes That Most People Don't Know  

do you have blemishes on your skin? Use this simple trick to reduce them in no time. 

Priyanka Chopra's sensual bikini while vacationing in the South of France  with Nick Jonas and Marti should inspire your vacation outfits. 

Lossing bone density and receding gums exacerbate these problems. Low density tooth sockets can make you more susceptible to bone loss, says Sollecito, and gum recession can cause some of your tooth's surfaces to lose the enamel that protects them from cavities. Women at this stage in  life are also more susceptible to  periodontal disease, a buildup of plaque and bacteria  under the gums and around the teeth. 

"The gum tissue becomes red and starts to swell," said Crum, the American Dental Association spokesperson. "For some people it bleeds and peels away from the teeth, and deep grooves form around the teeth that make it very difficult to keep clean." Hister Cockrell said the burning sensation can extend to the tongue, palate and lips. "As you can imagine, this can get really  out of hand," Sollecito added. 

What can you do? Experts say the first line of defense is good oral hygiene and nutrition. Eat a balanced diet that's low in sweets and high in calcium-rich foods. Brush your teeth carefully  at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. "Electric toothbrushes are more effective than brushing your teeth by hand," says Crum. "Go to your dentist regularly and ask, 'Am I doing a good job?' If not, what can help me do my job better?" 

Patients should also ask their dentist whether they should visit the dental office more than twice a year and consider using in-office fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth surfaces or prescription toothpastes with more fluoride. Treating dry mouth at home is a top priority, experts  So make beyond any doubt you drink bounty of liquids.

"Probably no one actually drinks enough water throughout the day," says Crum. You can also use over-the-counter sprays, lozenges, or rinses to prevent dry mouth. In severe cases, Sollecito says, your dentist can talk you through prescription medications that increase  saliva production in the mouth but can have side effects.There are moreover medicine solutions for burning mouth disorder.

  "The bottom line is that most oral diseases and problems of menopause are completely preventable with caution, good dental care  at home, and regular visits to the dentist," says Crum.