Biological females go through a few key hormonal shifts in their lifetime, one of the most impactful of which is menopause. The entire body can be affected — including your mouth! This is especially important to keep in mind if you are considering tooth replacement with dental implants. What should you know about how menopause might impact the road ahead? This blog post explains.
Menopause and Dental Implants
One major facet of menopause is a drop in estrogen levels. As this hormone declines, your smile could be affected in a few big ways:
- Reduced jawbone density: Estrogen plays a role in bone remodeling. Without enough of it, your bones may become weaker. In turn, this can affect the ability of dental implants to bond securely with your jaw.
- Dry mouth and oral infections: It is common for saliva production to slow down during menopause. This can lead to an increased risk of oral infections, including gum disease. Individuals with active gum infections are not good candidates for dental implants. After implant placement, an infection could cause them to fail.
- Slower healing: Estrogen is important for tissue repair, so when it drops, the body takes longer to heal after surgeries, including dental implant placement.
What Can You Do?
While the above information is worth your attention, it should not discourage you from pursuing tooth replacement. Many postmenopausal women enjoy a successful dental implant journey! Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Manage your overall health: Your primary care physician or another medical professional may suggest therapies, supplements, or lifestyle adjustments to minimize symptoms of menopause.
- Stick to good oral care habits: Brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. If you struggle with a dry mouth, drink plenty of water and consider asking your dentist if you should use a mouthwash that is specifically designed for dry mouth.
- Prioritize your bone health: A calcium-rich diet, a fitness routine that includes weight-bearing moves, and periodic bone scans may help your bones to stay healthy.
- Communicate with your dentist: Tell your dental team about any therapies or medications you are taking to manage menopause symptoms. Follow their instructions closely before and after dental implant treatment.
Menopause can affect your smile’s health, but if you take the right proactive steps, you may still be able to enjoy the benefits of strong and sturdy tooth replacement with dental implants.
Meet the Practice
At Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we are pleased to provide start-to-finish dental implant care in a comfortable environment. Drs. Azmoodeh and Romanoff both have advanced training in implant dentistry, and our team uses a CBCT machine for precise treatment planning. We welcome adult patients of all ages. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our office at 469-208-6017.