As your estrogen levels decrease during perimenopause and menopause, you may notice sensitive teeth, painful gums, and more.

Fluctuating hormone levels may affect some unexpected parts of your body, such as your mouth.

Some people notice that things taste different during the menopausal transition. You may even develop something called burning mouth syndrome, which can cause unpleasant symptoms.

Keep reading to learn about the ways menopause may be affecting your mouth and what you can do to find relief.

The naturally occurring decrease in hormones during perimenopause and menopause can cause some mouth-related changes. This may result in the following symptoms:

Sensitive teeth

If you regularly experience pain after drinking or eating hot or cold items, you could have tooth sensitivity.

Sensitive teeth develop when the dentin, or inner part of the teeth, loses both its protective enamel and cementum coating. This leaves the nerves within your teeth vulnerable, which can lead to pain and discomfort when you consume cold, hot, or acidic foods.

Hormonal changes do not directly cause the loss of enamel, but they do cause decreased saliva. Saliva protects the teeth from loss of enamel due to acidic changes from dietary sources, such as soda, and from bacteria, plaque, and decay. Naturally decreasing saliva levels due to menopause may increase tooth sensitivity.

Gum inflammation

Menopausal gingivostomatitis is a menopause-related oral health condition that causes gum inflammation. In addition to gum swelling, you may have noticeably pale, shiny, or deep-red gums. Your gums may also bleed easily, especially when you brush or floss.

Altered tastes

Hormonal changes during the menopausal transition can also change the way foods taste to you. For example, you may find yourself bothered by salty, sour, or peppery foods. It’s also possible for food to taste unusually bitter or metallic.

Burning mouth

In some cases, menopause-induced taste changes accompany a condition known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS). As the name suggests, BMS may cause burning, pain, and tenderness around your mouth area, including the lips, tongue, and cheeks.

Tooth pain during menopause is related to both hormonal and age-related, naturally occurring causes, such as thinning mouth tissues, dry mouth, and osteoporosis.

Thinning mouth tissues

As estrogen levels decrease, the oral mucosal epithelium may also decrease in thickness. This may make you more sensitive to pain, as well as more vulnerable to infections in your mouth.

Dry mouth

Salivary glands are partially dependent on hormones to continue supporting saliva production and maintain consistency.

Lower estrogen levels may also decrease saliva production, causing a condition known as dry mouth. Dry mouth can make it uncomfortable to swallow foods and liquids. The condition may also contribute to tooth decay when left untreated.

Osteoporosis

Postmenopausal people are at an increased risk of osteoporosis due to naturally declining estrogen levels. The condition weakens bones, which may cause them to break more easily.

While you might associate osteoporosis, an age-related condition, with thinning bones throughout your body, it’s important not to forget about the bones inside the mouth. In particular, osteoporosis may cause a reduction in jawbone density and size, which may decrease gum size and lead to tooth loss.

While hormonal changes can lead to changes in your mouth, it does not mean you will have problems with your teeth and gums.

It’s important to see a dentist if you’re experiencing any unusual changes in your oral health, such as dry mouth, tooth sensitivity, or pain. They may recommend corrective procedures or medications that can help address these issues.

Additionally, your dentist might recommend the following:

  • regular cleanings and checkups
  • brushing your teeth twice daily
  • flossing once a day
  • using a toothpaste designed for sensitivity to help protect the nerves in your teeth
  • using over-the-counter moisturizing sprays or rinses to treat dry mouth
  • taking calcium or vitamin D supplements if your diet is deficient in these bone-supporting nutrients

Certain lifestyle modifications may also help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Examples include not smoking or quitting smoking, and limiting or avoiding sugary foods and beverages. If you have dry mouth, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption may also help.

While some menopause-related oral health changes may cause slight discomfort, others, such as dry mouth, may lead to bigger issues with your teeth and gums.

Protecting your oral health during menopause can lead to better oral health outcomes as you age, as well as better overall quality of life.

If lifestyle modifications and regular oral care do not help relieve your symptoms, talk with a doctor or a dentist to learn about other possible treatments.