Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania y afiliadas
Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania y afiliadas
A shocking 84% of women 50+ don’t know how menopause affects their oral health. It’s time we started talking about it, and Delta Dental is leading the conversation. By understanding the link between menopause and oral health, women can help improve their oral and overall health.
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Breaking the silence and barriers, all at once
Menopause isn’t just about mood swings and hot flashes. Dry mouth, receding gum line, tooth decay, a tingling feeling in the mouth may all be signs you’re nearing or experiencing menopause.
Delta Dental is helping spotlight the oral health-menopause connection in the documentary, “The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause,” which premiered on PBS in octubre de 2024. Watch this special edit of the film for a perspective on how menopause impacts women’s oral health.
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Menopause and the mouth:
connecting the dotsDelta Dental is dedicated to expanding access to quality oral care and supporting overall health. Improving education and driving lasting policy changes to address systemic health care-related issues is a key priority for us.
Why menopause? To quote Sarah Chavarria, CEO Delta Dental, “At Delta Dental, we believe that the impact of menopause on oral health should be an integral part of the broader dialogue, helping women maintain their well-being and holistic health during this life milestone." -
Our 2023 Menopause Survey helped unlock menopause’s hidden impact by breaking the stigma surrounding the topic.
Our 2024 Menopause Survey gave a voice to the often silent symptoms of women going through menopause. The goal is to start conversations on the topic and help them take charge of their oral and overall health during this crucial phase.
¿Cómo afecta la menopausia a los dientes y las encías?
Our teeth and gums inevitably change as we get older, but women in particular, experience aging differently as a result of the hormonal changes that happen during this stage. As estrogen levels drop, a few things start to change in your mouth.
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Boca reseca
Una de cada tres mujeres mayores de 50 años confirma tener boca seca. Reduced estrogen levels can lead to a decrease in saliva production, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease and oral infections.
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Enfermedad de las encías
el 87% de las mujeres no conocía la relación entre la menopausia y la enfermedad de las encías. Sin embargo, los controles dentales regulares y el abordaje temprano de los síntomas pueden ayudar a prevenir la progresión.
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Reduced jawbone density
La disminución de estrógenos puede debilitar los huesos, incluyendo la mandíbula. Muchas mujeres, un enorme 87%, desconocen este cambio, lo que puede provocar la pérdida de dientes y otras complicaciones. Los chequeos dentales regulares y una dieta rica en calcio pueden ayudar.
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Pérdida de dientes
Los efectos combinados de la enfermedad de las encías y la reducción de la densidad del maxilar pueden aumentar el riesgo de pérdida de dientes.
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Caries
Los cambios hormonales menopáusicos pueden hacer que los dientes sean más susceptibles a las caries debido a la reducción de la saliva y el aumento del riesgo de enfermedad de las encías. Dado que la saliva ayuda a proteger los dientes y las encías, la probabilidad de caries puede aumentar.
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Encías retraídas
También hay un vínculo entre la menopausia y las encías. Una de cada tres mujeres mayores de 50 años informa que notó que sus encías estaban retraídas, lo que expone más el diente y sus raíces. Estas brechas o “huecos” acumulan bacterias, lo que puede provocar a una mayor sensibilidad.
Source: 2023 Menopause Survey
There's a lack of information about menopause and dental health
Arming women with the right knowledge about menopause, oral health and oral care is an important part of promoting healthy aging. Sin embargo, encontrar información sobre este tema no siempre es fácil.
The challenge with finding good information
Many women over 50 run into roadblocks accessing reliable information about menopause and its impact on oral health. With so little out there, many women are turning to the internet just as often as they are to their health care providers to get the answers they need, showing a real gap in the information being provided by professionals.
27% struggle to find resources about menopause and oral health.
84% think there should be more information available.
54% planned to spend more time on their oral care routine after learning about the connection.
Source: 2023 Menopause Survey
Importance of talking to your dentist
Open conversations about menopause and its connection to oral care can empower women to better manage their health. They can be more proactive in their care, making informed decisions about their oral hygiene routines and seeking professional help when needed. Discussing menopause openly may help women understand the impact on their overall well-being, leading to healthier habits and more effective prevention of oral health issues.
Women 40+ find it helpful to receive oral health advice related to menopause during dental visits.
93% of women said it would be helpful if they were provided specific instructions on what they should do regarding their oral health during menopause.
Women 40+ are more likely to prioritize gum care during menopause after learning about the connection.
Source: 2024 Menopause Survey
Additional resources to protect your mouth through every stage of life
En Delta Dental, nos comprometemos a ayudar a las mujeres en el siguiente capítulo de su vida. Consulta estos recursos y obtén las herramientas que necesitas para atravesar la menopausia con confianza.
¿Cómo hablar con tu dentista acerca de la menopausia? (con plantilla para correo electrónico)
Este recurso proporciona consejos prácticos sobre cómo tener una conversación abierta con tu dentista acerca de la menopausia y la salud bucal. Incluye una plantilla para correo electrónico, para ayudarte a comenzar.
Perimenopausia y salud bucal
The transitional stage of perimenopause can impact your oral health. Understand what to expect as you approach menopause and how to maintain your dental health.
Posmenopausia y salud bucal
Tus necesidades de salud bucal pueden continuar evolucionando después de la menopausia. Este recurso analiza los efectos continuos de la reducción de los niveles de estrógeno en los dientes y las encías, y ofrece consejos para mantener una buena higiene bucal a medida que envejeces.
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