If you already have dental implants or are considering starting the process to achieve a brighter smile, you may be wondering how your oral health could be impacted by menopause. It can cause a number of changes in the body, including alterations to your teeth and gums. Do you want to know more about how menopause affects your dental health before you get dental implants in West Bloomfield? Are you talking to someone who has implants or is thinking about getting them? Here’s what you need to know.
Menopause and Dental Health
Most of us are familiar with some of the more common symptoms of menopause in West Bloomfield: hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain. But, have you considered how menopause affects your teeth and gums? Here are some dental issues that can occur during or after menopause:
- Gum (Periodontal) disease
- Oral dryness (xerostomia)
- Glossodynia (a burning sensation in the mouth)
- Osteoporosis leading to tooth loss
How Menopause Affects Dental Implants
While menopause isn’t usually a limiting factor when considering dental implants, there is a slight risk of failure due to bone loss. A study has evaluated post-menopausal women undergoing this dental treatment and found those between the ages of 60 to 79 had the highest rates of dental implant failure.
It’s important to note that these failures were more prevalent in specific groups of women, including:
- Diabetics
- Smokers
- Post-menopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- Those who have had neck and head radiation
The good news is that the risk of failure is very low once the dental implants have successfully achieved osseointegration (connection to the bone). That means once they’ve taken, menopause is unlikely to damage the bone around your implant.
Lower Your Risk of Implant Failure
Don’t fret, despite the higher rate of failure, there are ways to decrease your risk and ensure you maintain optimal dental health:
- Take extra care to practice proper oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss once a day.
- Consider a toothpaste that is designed specifically to keep the gums healthy and free of infection.
- Talk to your dentist. They can give you instructions and tips to help you take care of your mouth during the process. They may recommend the use of an interproximal brush to reach the areas between your implants or a chlorhexidine mouthwash to minimize mouth bacteria.
Menopause doesn’t need to be your reason to put off achieving the brighter smile you’ve always wanted. Talk to your dentist about how dental implants can improve the quality of your life and boost your confidence.
About Our Practice
LakeView Family Dental in West Bloomfield is made up of a team of dentists who specialize in a range of general, cosmetic, and restorative procedures. Our team of dentists have extensive training in dental implants, sedation dentistry, and orthodontics. They are members of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, and the Oakland County Dental Society. If you have questions about post-menopausal dental implants, visit our website or give us a call at (248)363-3304.