🦷The Menopausal Mouth: How Hormones Shape Your Oral Health

By Dr. Seema Agarwal – Because Your Mouth Matters

🌸Why This Matters

Thanks to longer lifespans, today’s women are spending up to one-third of their lives in

menopause—longer than at any point in history. While most people know about hot flashes and

mood changes, many don’t realize how significantly menopause impacts oral health.

This post kicks off our series exploring how the mouth changes during menopause, starting with

the basics: saliva and dental health.

📖What the Research Says

A 2018 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Preventive & Community

Dentistry by Rukmini et al. explored how menopause affects saliva and oral conditions.

They studied 80 women, half of whom were postmenopausal and the other half still

menstruating. All participants were free from medications and systemic illnesses to isolate the

effects of menopause.

Key Findings:

• 45% of postmenopausal women had reduced salivary flow (dry mouth).

• 50% had more acidic saliva, which increases the risk of tooth decay.

• All menstruating women had normal salivary flow and pH.

• Clinical exams showed higher levels of cavities, gum disease, and oral hygiene issues in the menopausal group.

🧬What’s Happening in the Mouth?

Menopause leads to lower estrogen levels, which impacts:

• Saliva flow and quality – Less saliva means less protection from cavities, infections, and irritation.

• Saliva composition – Reductions in important components like mucin, secretory IgA, and phosphates, weaken oral immunity.

• Oral microbiome – Changes in pH and immunity may increase susceptibility to infections and discomfort.

Symptoms many women experience include:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)

• Burning mouth sensation

• Changes in taste

• Increased cavities and gum inflammation

Hormone therapy (HT) has shown promise in improving symptoms and increasing salivation, but

it must be carefully considered due to individual health risks.

👩‍⚕️For Dental Hygienists: Quick Takeaways (For Busy Days)

• Menopause reduces estrogen, impacting both saliva quantity and quality.

• Common symptoms include dry mouth (xerostomia) and burning mouth syndrome.

• Saliva becomes more acidic in many menopausal women—leading to increased cavity

• risk.

• Consequences include:

• Higher rates of tooth decay,

• Mucositis( inflammation and irritation of oral mucosa),

• Dysphagia,(difficulty swallowing),

• Taste alterations, and

• Increased periodontal pathogens and disease.

Clinical Recommendations:

• Assess for dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, taste changes

• Reinforce plaque control, hydration, and salivary support (e.g., rinses, xylitol lozenges)

• Recommend gentle oral hygiene tools and techniques

• Discuss potential referral for medical evaluation regarding HT

• Recognize increased risk for caries and periodontal disease in menopausal patients

Study Reference:

Rukmini JN et al.

Effect of Menopause on Saliva and Dental Health

J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2018;8(6):529–533.

DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_68_18

Content Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical  or dental advice. Although Seema Agarwal is a DDS, she is serving as a health educator and NOT acting as a licensed healthcare provider, nor does this create a patient-provider relationship. This content does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or condition, nor should it replace professional medical or dental care. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for any medical concerns.