Menopause and changes to your oral health

Written by Admin | Jul 30, 2026, 7:36:04 PM

Menopause occurs when a woman’s body stops producing reproductive hormones and they’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This is a natural part of aging and can cause significant changes to your oral and overall health.

52% of women 40+ indicate they do not know menopause can affect oral health, according to Delta Dental of California and Affiliates’ 2024 Oral Health and Menopause Survey.¹To learn more about menopause, watch “The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause,” now streaming on PBS. The film is a first-of-its-kind documentary that empowers and educates the estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide who will be in menopause by 2025. You can also check out our special edit of the film, with valuable insights on how menopause impacts women’s oral health from Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President, Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, and Teri Barichello, DMD, Vice President and Chief Dental Officer, Delta Dental of Oregon and Alaska.

Stages of menopause:

The experience of menopause can include a few different stages:

Perimenopause: This typically begins in your 40s, around 8 to 10 years before menopause. During this stage, your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. Common symptoms include mood swings, hot flashes, irregular periods, sensitive teeth, and dry mouth.

Menopause: This stage of menopause, when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, typically happens around age 52. It means your body has mostly stopped producing estrogen and your ovaries no longer release eggs. Symptoms of perimenopause continue during this phase, and the lack of estrogen production can create oral health risks.

Postmenopause: In the years following menopause, you may experience ongoing mild menopausal symptoms. Reduced estrogen levels during this stage can lead to health concerns such as decreased bone density or osteoporosis, which weakens bones and teeth. To mitigate these effects, some people opt for hormone therapy (also known as hormone replacement therapy) to manage symptoms and support bone health.

The oral health risks of menopause:

Reduced estrogen and other hormonal changes can create a variety of interrelated issues:

It can reduce the amount of saliva you produce, contributing to dry mouth, gum disease, and an increased risk of tooth decay (cavities).
Gum disease can cause receding gumlines and small pockets that food and bacteria get caught in. This, combined with reduced saliva and changes in hormones, also increases your risk for tooth decay and tooth loss.

Other potential changes to your mouth, teeth, and gums caused by reduced estrogen levels include:

Altered taste: Your sense of taste may change or be reduced.
Reduced jawbone density: Weaker bones and teeth can make you more likely to develop oral health issues.
Burning mouth syndrome: This is a feeling of heat on your tongue, lips, or the roof of your mouth. It can range from light tingling to an intense “burning” feeling. Like many other menopause-related oral health problems, it can be caused by reduced estrogen levels and dry mouth.

How to maintain healthy teeth and gums during menopause:

With awareness of these changes and a little extra care, you can keep your smile healthy and avoid the potential risks associated with menopause.

Continue to practice routine daily care — brush twice daily and floss once per day.

Keep water nearby to combat dry mouth and remain hydrated. Experts recommend drinking six to eight cups a day, though the right amount for you may be different.

Eat a diet rich in calcium to help offset loss in jawbone density.

Prioritize your scheduled dentist visits and ask about menopause if your dentist does not bring it up. You can discuss questions, concerns, or any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

¹Breaking the stigma: Let’s talk about menopause and oral health. (n.d.) from https://www1.deltadentalins.com/content/dam/ddins/en/pdf/wellness/oral-health-and-menopause-report.pdf

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