Patient newsletter · Our summary
Menopause and your oral health
Hormone changes during menopause can show up in your mouth, from dryness to tender gums. A few easy habits go a long way.
Dry mouth
Saliva tends to decrease with age and menopause, and many medications make it worse. Less saliva means less natural rinsing and more cavity risk. Please tell us about every medication and supplement you take.
Tender tissues
Lower estrogen has been linked with mouth sores, yeast infections, and a burning feeling on the tongue (burning mouth syndrome). If something feels off, let us take a look.
Gums and bone
Hormone shifts can make gums swollen or bleed. Early gum disease responds well to good home care, while deeper gum disease needs professional cleanings to protect the bone that holds your teeth. Diabetes, smoking, and past gum problems raise the risk.
What helps
Sip water, chew sugar-free gum, or let ice chips melt; go easy on coffee and soda. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, replace your brush every 3–4 months, clean between teeth daily, don’t smoke, and keep up your regular visits.
Questions? Ask Dr. Greg or Dr. Gina at your next visit — we’re always happy to talk.
Essentials we like
A few options from our curated essentials that often help with this topic.
Dr. Greg and Dr. Gina research these picks daily to keep the recommendations current. As an Amazon Associate, Chew Dental earns from qualifying purchases. These small commissions help support the time they and our team spend researching and updating these recommendations, at no extra cost to you, and they sincerely appreciate your support.
- Biotene Oral Rinse for Dry Mouth — Alcohol-free rinse made for dry mouth.
- ACT Dry Mouth Fluoride Mouthwash — Dry-mouth rinse with fluoride for cavity protection when saliva is low.
- Parodontax Complete Protection Toothpaste — Toothpaste aimed at swollen or bleeding gums.
- Philips Sonicare 5900 — Powered brush for a thorough, gentle clean along the gumline.
- Philips Sonicare C2 Plaque Control Brush Heads — A reminder to replace brush heads every 3–4 months.
This information is general and not a substitute for personal medical or dental advice.