When we talk about menopause, we tend to focus on hot flushes, sleep, mood and hormones.
But what about your mouth?
Bleeding gums, dry mouth, burning sensations and changes in taste can all occur around menopause, yet they are rarely part of the conversation.
There is another reason to pay attention. Research is increasingly revealing connections between oral health and conditions affecting women in midlife, from cardiovascular disease to autoimmune disease.
Menopause is an important opportunity to reassess long-term health, and oral health deserves to be part of that review.
For women, that means knowing what to look out for. For dentists, it means recognising the changes, understanding the wider connections and knowing which questions to ask.
IN THIS GUIDE
- What Happens to Your Mouth During Menopause?
- Why Oral Health Matters Beyond Your Mouth
- Menopause, Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease
- Could Your Mouth Be Involved in Autoimmune Disease?
- What About Alzheimer’s Disease?
- Is There a Connection Between Oral Health and Breast Cancer?
- Not Every Mouth Symptom Is Menopause: Don’t Forget Oral Cancer
- Five Ways Women Can Protect Their Oral Health During Menopause
- Bonus for Dentists: six questions to ask
- Looking Beyond the Mouth