In years gone by, our team at Kings Dental have aimed to educate as many of our patients as possible about how conditions such as pregnancy can affect gum and oral health.
However, in recent times, it has been noted by researchers, dental teams and health care professionals alike that there is one area of a woman's life cycle that has been overlooked in relation to dental health; the menopause.
Just like pregnancy, menopause causes a flux in hormones that impact on all areas of the body, including the mouth. And as society becomes more knowledgeable of this unique stage of life, we feel it is time to describe the changes it can cause to a woman's oral health and how we can help.
At Kings Dental in Subiaco, we are proud to be able to support all of our patients at every stage of their life and we place a special emphasis on helping our female patients who may be experiencing sudden changes. We will always endeavour to alleviate any issues caused by hormonal changes, helping you to feel and look as healthy as possible. Great!
But what are some of the issues that menopause can cause for women's dental health? Our dentist at Kings Dental in Subiaco answers below.
Gum disease
In previous articles, we have discussed how pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. Menopause is no different.
As our team at Kings Dental Subiaco has observed, as menopause advances, estrogen level drops, which can cause the body to go into overdrive with its immune defences.
And in the same way that the gums become hyper-reactive to plaque during pregnancy, they often do the same thing during the menopause.
So, if you are suffering from sore gums which bleed when you brush, come and see our team for an assessment and a potential scale and polish.
Dry mouth
Known medically as xerostomia, dry mouth is common for many women who are going through the menopause. Once again, hormones are at fault. With a lack of saliva washing away plaque and bacteria, you are at an increased risk of cavities and decay. While some hormone therapies have been known to help, our team can advise you to switch to a fluoridated toothpaste and which mouthwashes can be of the most benefit.
Bone loss
Another common issue that occurs with menopause is the start of osteoporosis.
Should you have this, your jaw will likely begin to recede and you may start to lose teeth. Yikes!
Luckily, we can help to rebuild your jaw bone and restore your teeth using oral implants. If you want to know more about implants, call our team today!
Staining
Hormones can cause enamel to become more porous, leading to increased incidents of staining.
We can offer to treat these using whitening procedures but, if your enamel is too thin or you suffer from sensitive teeth, we may offer to fit porcelain veneers instead. Perfect!
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
Comentarios