It's not all hot flashes and mood swings- doctor warns of little known side effect of menopause READ MORE: Menopause survival guide for your husband or partner By Luke Andrews Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 20:52, 16 September 2024 | Updated: 20:57, 16 September 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Hot flashes and night sweats are well-known problems of menopause , but now dentists are saying women may also face problems with their teeth. The drop in estrogen levels brought on by menopause can cause saliva production to decrease, leading to a dry mouth.
This can lead to bacteria proliferating — giving someone smelly breath and raising the risk of tooth decay. Menopause also causes a decrease in bone density — including in the sockets that hold the teeth, which in rare cases may cause them to come loose. A dentist has revealed a side effect of the menopause that they say is little known.
In many cases, women tend to link it to other factors (stock) At the same time, dentists also say that aging naturally causes the gums to recede — which may expose areas of the teeth not protected by enamel. Dr Thomas Sollecito, chief of oral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Associated Press: 'I'm not sure that people are aware of this. 'As you could well imagine, this could all really spiral out of control.
' Dr Sally Cram, a periodontist in Washington DC, added: 'The bottom line is most oral conditions and problems during menopause are totally preventable.