Every year, approximately 1.3 million women in the United States transition into menopause, bracing themselves for the well-known symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings.

Yet, a significant number of these women, nearly 11 million in total, face a lesser-discussed issue: the risk of losing teeth.

The period of menopause and the preceding phase known as perimenopause involves a drop in estrogen levels, a vital reproductive hormone. This decline can result in thinner gum tissues and increased inflammation within the mouth.

Dr. Janette Gray, the author of “The Truth about Sex Hormones,” expressed to the Daily Mail that many women are not adequately informed about how estrogen levels affect dental health.

A survey conducted by Delta Dental, a leading dental insurance provider, revealed that over 80 percent of more than 1,500 women surveyed, all of whom were over 40, were unaware of the dental repercussions associated with menopause.

Despite this gap in awareness, the survey highlighted that in recent months, more than a quarter of the respondents, totaling 332 women, have experienced tooth decay or loss.

Low estrogen levels also lead to lower bone density, including in the jaw, which weakens support for teeth and promotes gum recession.

‘Tooth loss during menopause is more common than many realize, and unfortunately, most women aren’t sufficiently warned about it,’ Dr Richard Nejat, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist in New York, told the Daily Mail. 

According to expert Dr Janette Gray, women are not adequately informed about the important link between estrogen and dental health

Louisa, a mother of five currently going through perimenopause, likened her bathroom sink to a murder scene after brushing and flossing her teeth one evening.

‘Imagine, it’s the end of the night, you’re in the bathroom using your super super crunchy, re-mineralizing, fluoride-free, yada yada toothpaste, and right after, you decide to floss because you’re a responsible adult – you floss every night. And, as you’re flossing, you spit, and all this blood is in the sink,’ she said in a TikTok video.

Another TikToker in the throes of menopause warned her followers: ‘I’m going put you on game right now because the Boomers didn’t want to share information with us… but I want to help you out.

‘If you don’t have a really good dentist right now, go get one. Because when you go through perimenopause and menopause, your teeth might get f***** up. You’re going to get cavities, you might have to have root canals, you’re going to have to have some work done.’

Dr Sandip Sachar, a New York City-based dentist, said it’s a common issue. She told the Daily Mail that even women who had never gotten cavities before may start to notice they have become ‘prone to tooth decay.’ 

Another woman going through menopause shared on TikTok that she lost almost all of her top teeth, revealing she now wears dentures.

Anna Dyer, a perimenopause expert based in Jacksonville, Florida, said in a video: ‘I not only lost one tooth, I have lost two teeth. And unfortunately, they were right next to each other… so I had to get an implant.

‘No one ever mentions that either, that women of this age are going to have problems with that. So when you go to the dentist, nobody’s ever said that to me.’

Author Tamsen Fadal shared a video on TikTok documenting a recent dental procedure. She told followers her oral health issues have been a direct result of menopausal hormonal shifts. 

Fadal aims to shed light on the symptom and spark a broader conversation about the wide-ranging health effects of plummeting estrogen levels.

Author Tamsen Fadal (pictured) posted a video to TikTok of herself undergoing a dental procedure that she said is directly tied to menopause

Fadal (pictured) tied her dental problems to changing hormone levels, which can lead to bone thinning and loss

Delta Dental estimates that about half of perimenopausal and menopausal women have noticed a change in their teeth or gums over the years. 

One study suggests over 28 percent of postmenopausal women may experience tooth loss within five years, primarily due to higher rates of gum disease and bone thinning.

While cavities and gum disease cause tooth loss, the hormonal changes of menopause significantly increase a woman’s susceptibility to these issues – like its effect on bone strength.

As the jawbone loses density and height, it diminishes support for the teeth.

Additionally, about 25 percent of women going through menopause experience reduced salivary flow, or dry mouth.

This happens because estrogen plays a key role in helping the nervous system communicate more effectively with the salivary glands. When that hormone level drops, the system becomes less efficient, directly leading to reduced saliva production.

Saliva is essential for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids that erode tooth enamel, so its reduction significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Dr Richard Nejat (pictured), a dental specialist in New York, stated that tooth loss during menopause is surprisingly common, yet most women are not adequately warned about this risk

Saliva also plays a vital role in protecting the soft tissues, including the gums and inner lining of the mouth, by promoting healing and providing a protective coating.

Dentists highly recommend flossing diligently to maintain healthy gums between visits – routine cleanings are recommended twice a year.

In addition to maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene, experts recommend that menopausal women look into hormone replacement therapy – which replenishes the declining levels of estrogen and progesterone, the two main female hormones, and restores hormonal balance.

‘The sooner a woman entering perimenopause or menopause is given hormone replacement therapy, the more benefit she will receive from it,’ Gray told the Daily Mail.

Nejat also recommends a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for maintaining jawbone density and strength.