Opinion: “It is urgent to raise awareness of the importance of oral health during menopause,” Matilda Duarte Silva, dentist

Menopause is an influential stage in a woman's life cycle and brings with it major changes that affect not only her physical, mental and social health, but also her oral cavity.

In the face of this problem, and reinforcing its commitment to the oral health care of Portuguese people, Clínica Médis, a brand of the Ageas Portugal Group, seeks to explain how this area is affected by the hormonal changes typical of menopause.

Menopause is characterized by decreased estrogen production from the ovaries. Most women begin to feel the first signs around the age of 45, which can last about four to seven years until the confirmation of their last menstrual period and continue after that. The most common systemic symptoms of menopause are hot flashes and sweating, followed by gynecological, urinary, and psychological changes. Low estrogen also affects the tissues of the oral cavity, which may reduce the bone density of the jaws, making the gums more sensitive to bacterial aggression and altering saliva production. These changes can lead to the onset or worsening of certain oral diseases such as dry mouth, burning mouth syndromes, oral candidiasis, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Gum disease accounts for approximately 60% of oral complaints in women during menopause. Although it is not directly caused by low estrogen, it can accelerate disease progression and hamper tissue recovery. Early gum disease – gingivitis – is characterized by reversible gingivitis. If this is not treated timely, it tends to develop into gingivitis, with irreversible destruction of the supporting bone, mobility and eventual loss of teeth. Furthermore, there is a relationship between gingivitis and certain metabolic and cardiovascular diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cholesterol.

Treating and controlling gingivitis by a dentist is essential. However, there are critical risk factors that the patient must control, such as daily oral hygiene, smoking, and stress. Any patient, in this case women in particular, over the age of 45/50 years, should be alert to warning signs such as swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or a sudden increase in the appearance of cavities.

Habits that will certainly reduce the negative impact of these biological processes. Although menopause is a natural and expected process, these changes have a significant impact on a woman's quality of life and her psychosocial well-being. It is natural that there will be some discomfort in dealing with these aspects. The dentist does not have to ask specific questions during the consultation, but he should be attentive.

By promoting health culture, Clínica Médis is committed to spreading knowledge about the effects of menopause on oral health, and providing guidance and appropriate treatment to all Portuguese women. For the brand, it is important to relieve the oral discomfort associated with this stage and thus improve the woman's quality of life.