🦷Menopause Causes Teeth to Break? 5 Surprising Reasons Why?

Typically, menopause might be associated with hot flashes, mood swings, and lack of sleep. However, not being one of the common issues that people are usually aware of, menopause can lead to serious dental health problems, among the rest it triggers. Besides, it is not only women who are going through menopause when talking about menopause causes teeth to break.

Along with the depletion of estrogen, the body faces significant changes, and orofacial health is also affected. From changes in bone density to dry mouth and gum problems, let’s see how the menopause period is responsible for the overall health of the dental cavity.

Menopause-Related Hormonal Changes Menopause Causes Teeth to Break

So the main factor in the menopause-related breakage of teeth (due to hormonal changes experienced by women in menopause) is considered to be bone loss, where the levels of a woman’s estrogen hormone become very low, and consequently, she becomes more prone to osteoporosis in the jaw area as well.

The jaw bone is what holds the teeth. Thus, if it happens that they become less, or decrease in quality, the oral cavity accommodates easily loosened, shifted, or even broken teeth. This loss is a continuous process that may go on for quite a long time before the woman herself or doctor or dentist notices it. 

Many cases of osteoporosis can be diagnosed in its early and treatable stages through the procedure, even just in a simple way of doing the bone mass measurements and dental X-ray procedures regularly on women who are aged above 45 years. If the problem is detected earlier on, you may have a good chance of getting rid of the disease and keeping your smile.

Having an Empty Mouth During Menopause Period

One more problem related to the menopause stage is xerostomia in medical language dry mouth. It occurs due to the unbalanced levels of hormones, and the side effect is the decreased production of saliva of the body. Furthermore, saliva plays an important defensive role, protecting teeth from bacteria, buffering acids, and hardening the enamel layer.

Harmful bacteria build up faster when your mouth is dry. The latter causes more cavities, more plaque, and finally, weakened tooth structure. In the long run, weakened teeth tend to be more easily chipped, cracked, or broken — even from something as simple as biting a piece of bread.

3. Gum Recession Exposes Vulnerable Tooth Roots

A lot of postmenopausal women see their gum lines retreat. Gum recession is what allows the tooth to become exposed to its root, which doesn’t have the enamel layer to cover it. The root area is the softest and thus the most vulnerable to decay, erosion, and sensitivity.

If the root area is infected, simple pressure could make the tooth break. Regular dental checkups, as well as deep cleanings and gum treatments targeting specific areas, can significantly mitigate this risk. 

Increased Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) from Sleep Disruption

Insomnia and tossing and turning in the bed are sleep problems that many experience during menopause. But did you know that stress and poor sleep can also trigger night time teeth grinding, also known as bruxism? Menopause causes teeth to break with bruxism.

Grinding your teeth puts massive pressure on your back teeth and front teeth and, in some cases, it comes close to or even surpasses the pressure created by chewing. Continuously, this pressure can lead to the enamel being worn out and the teeth being cracked or fractured. If you are experiencing pain or headaches in the morning, it is advisable that you see a dentist who can provide a customized night guard for you.

Poor Calcium & Vitamin D Absorption Weakens Teeth

In particular, as the drop in estrogen level occurs, less calcium and vitamin D are absorbed from food in the body. Proper intake of these two nutrients is essential for keeping teeth and bones healthy. Without them, your enamel gets thin, making your teeth more brittle and liable to break. These side effects of menopause cause teeth to break.

The diet is of primary importance therefore. To give light, most women may have to add calcium and vitamin D to their nutrition; the exception is the individual who is faced with dental problems through menopause. Consulting either your dentist or your doctor can determine your level and align you with the right path.

Protecting Your Teeth During and After Menopause

There’s no need to worry about menopause causing teeth to break as they don’t come as part of the aging process. Today, an increasing number of technologies are becoming available ranging from enamel strengthening to full smile makeovers. In the event of damage, dental veneers, implants, or a common Hollywood Smile makeover at Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, are the most common treatments.

The professionals from Lema Dental perform the scanning digitally and create the dental design according to the patient’s requirements, and thus, use the top-quality materials such as Ivoclar and E-max to produce the most natural effect and to have the longest-lasting results. Now it’s time that you should smile with confidence and comfort, as menopause can only restore your entire oral health, not destroy the same.

FAQs: Menopause and Teeth Breaking