What you probably already know: Changes in oral health can be some of the earliest telltale signs of menopause because teeth and gums are extremely sensitive to hormonal shifts, but many women write off the symptoms — such as dry mouth, tooth decay and receding gum lines — as being part of general aging. This means dentists are often the first health care providers to notice menopause symptoms in their patients. While an overwhelming majority of women aren’t even aware that menopause can cause changes in the mouth, research from Delta Dental Insurance Co. suggests that most women want support to understand and respond to these shifts so they can stay as healthy as possible.
Why? Many women are unknowingly experiencing menopause-related oral health symptoms, or “menopause mouth.” The report found that in recent months, 40% of women aged 40 and up have noticed increased dry mouth, 27% reported heightened tooth sensitivity, 26% have noticed changes to their sense of taste and 22% have experienced tooth decay or tooth loss. These symptoms are often the result of hormonal changes: A decline in estrogen means the mouth produces less saliva, changing the balance of oral bacteria and leaving gums at higher risk of gingivitis and gum disease, while changes in bone density can loosen the jaw’s hold on teeth. But beyond the physical impacts, nearly half of women in the report said that menopause mouth symptoms have a negative toll on their confidence, mood or mental health.
What it means: Managing the impact of menopause mouth can be as simple as practicing impeccable dental hygiene and seeing the dentist for extra cleanings, but women need the support of their insurance providers and employers. According to the report, four in five women say they would be more likely to schedule additional cleanings if insurance covered them. Meanwhile, many women are turning to the internet for information on menopause and oral health because they aren’t getting it from their care providers. One in four women struggles to find resources on the topic, yet 93% say they want specific instructions on how to maintain oral health during menopause. Most say they’d likely prioritize gum care after learning about the connection. “Despite the knowledge gaps revealed in this survey, we're encouraged to see that attitudes are changing and women are ready to break the stigma,” said Sarah Chavarria, CEO and president of Delta Dental.
What happens now? Delta Dental’s survey suggests more dental providers are talking to their patients about the impacts of menopause on oral health, with 55% reporting they’re more open to discussing the topic proactively up 8% from last year. Most (81%) of dentists say they’d be more open to bringing it up if menopause-specific benefits were in place, while 89% say they’d be more likely to talk about it with their women patients if they had access to shared medical records. “When we combine this growing awareness with the right support systems, whether through specialized benefits, enhanced training or better health care integration,” said Dr. Daniel Croley, chief dental officer at Delta Dental, “we can transform how women experience oral care during menopause to maintain good oral health throughout a lifetime.” Delta Dental said it plans to start rolling out “enhanced women’s health benefits” — including additional yearly cleanings, X-rays and gum inflammation procedures — early next year. Women can take action on their own by learning more about the effects of perimenopause and postmenopause on oral health. You can also start the conversation with your dentist with the help of this email template.
