Menopause can cause oral symptoms, including burning mouth syndrome, inflamed gums, tooth sensitivity, and oral thrush. But most of these conditions are treatable with good oral hygiene, medications, or home remedies.
Menopause is often associated with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability. But there are still a number of symptoms you may not readily attribute to menopause.
Decreasing hormone levels can negatively impact overall bone density — including the bones that surround and support your teeth — and affect blood flow to the gums.
This can lead to bleeding and receding gums or loose teeth, among other oral conditions.
BMS is characterized by a burning sensation of the mucous membranes lining the inside of your mouth lasting at least
Characteristics
With BMS, the soft tissue inside your mouth may tingle or feel:
- hot
- tender
- numb
Symptoms may develop gradually or occur spontaneously. It could start as a tingle or come on strongly.
Although the sensation can involve the lips, palate, and border of the tongue, it primarily affects the tip of the tongue, and it may or may not affect your taste buds or salivary glands.
BMS is
- Type 1: You may experience no or low intensity pain upon waking up, but the pain quickly picks up and continues throughout the day, reaching its maximum threshold by late evening.
- Type 2: You may have constant pain that’s present day and night. You may wake up at night from the pain associated with BMS. People who experience this type of BMS can become very anxious.
- Type 3: You may notice intermittent bouts of pain with some pain-free intervals. If you have any food sensitivities, allergies, or intolerances, try to limit or avoid these foods during this time. Your diet may exacerbate pain and discomfort.
Treatment
Your treatment options depend on whether a second, underlying condition, such as a nutritional deficiency, may be behind your symptoms.
In the case of menopause-related BMS, some clinicians may recommend menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), though it’s unclear how effective it is for treating this condition.
A doctor may also recommend:
- tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
- sedatives, such as clonazepam and chlordiazepoxide
- mood stabilizers, such as gabapentin
You may need to try multiple treatment options to develop an effective care plan for your symptoms.
Home remedies for BMS are limited, but some anecdotal evidence suggests applying capsaicin directly to the affected site, which may help manage neuropathic pain by desensitizing the area.
Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by the
Fluctuating hormone levels can affect the level of Candida albicans present, potentially resulting in an overgrowth.
Characteristics
In the event of a Candida albicans overgrowth, patches will appear inside your mouth, primarily on your tongue and cheeks.
You may also experience:
- raised sores with a cottage cheese-like appearance
- burning or sore throat
- difficulty swallowing
- redness or other discoloration in and around your mouth
- cracking in the corners of your mouth
- loss of taste
Treatment
Doctors may prescribe a topical or an antifungal medication to help treat your symptoms, such as:
- lozenges containing clotrimazole
- liquid solutions like nystatin, itraconazole, and posaconazole
- tablets like fluconazole
Your symptoms may go away within 2 weeks with proper treatment, but they can return in some cases.
You can also try to manage your symptoms at home by:
- rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater as often as needed
- brushing at least twice daily and flossing at least once daily
- frequently replacing your toothbrush until your symptoms resolve
If you don’t see any improvement or your symptoms worsen, consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Dry mouth occurs when your body doesn’t make enough saliva. Saliva breaks down food and helps maintain the level of healthy bacteria in your mouth.
Menopause can change the composition of your saliva. This change can interfere with your mouth’s microbiome,
The following may also contribute to dry mouth:
- snoring or breathing with your mouth open
- drinking alcohol
- smoking cigarettes, vaping nicotine, and using other tobacco products
- certain medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and decongestants
- cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- other health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease
- nerve damage in your head or neck area
Characteristics
A dry mouth may feel sticky or tingly, as though your mouth is burning. You may also experience:
- halitosis (bad breath)
- cracked lips
- mouth sores
Dry mouth can make chewing, swallowing, and even talking more difficult if left without proper treatment.
Treatment
You can occasionally manage dry mouth with home remedies, such as:
- increasing your water intake
- temporarily limiting or avoiding spicy and salty foods
- swapping drinks with caffeine, which acts as a diuretic, for sugar-free alternatives
- chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies
- choosing products (e.g., toothpaste, mouthwash) with xylitol
- using a humidifier
If dry mouth happens frequently, or you suspect it may be the result of another health condition or treatment, consult a doctor or other healthcare professional.
They may adjust your care plan or prescribe a medication, such as pilocarpine or cevimeline, that stimulates saliva production.
According to the Endocrine Society, estrogen slows the natural breakdown of bone in the body.
When estrogen levels decline during menopause, overall bone loss increases, which can affect the bones in your mouth, making them more fragile.
Characteristics
Compromised bone density in your mouth due to slowed estrogen production could lead to:
- loose teeth
- tooth decay
- tooth loss
Lower estrogen levels can also cause the lining of your mouth to thin, making it more susceptible to injury. This may contribute to an uptick in pain sensitivity.
This can cause pain and discomfort, particularly when consuming hot, cold, or acidic foods and beverages.
The protective enamel on your teeth can also erode. If left without proper management, the nerves inside your teeth may become exposed over time.
Treatment
Occasional sensitivity may not be a cause for concern. If the pain persists, consider visiting a dentist. They can inspect your teeth and determine if there’s a cut, cavity, loose filling, or other underlying cause.
Many dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel. This can help reduce pain over time.
Alternating between fluoride toothpaste and desensitizing toothpaste can help soothe pain in the interim.
If you prefer acidic beverages, such as carbonated water, using a straw can minimize contact with your teeth.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can also support your bones and help keep them strong.
Although changes in taste may happen naturally as you age, menopause-related symptoms, like decreased saliva and drier oral tissue, can also impair taste.
Characteristics
Some people may notice a metallic, bitter, or salty taste in their mouth, even when they’re not eating or drinking anything that could have caused it.
Others may experience an absence of taste.
Treatment
You may find that using plastic or bamboo utensils and glass or ceramic cookware can help minimize metallic tastes.
Adding a natural sweetener can help minimize bitter or sour tastes. To minimize sweet tastes, consider adding lemon, lime, vinegar, or other acidic flavors to your food.
You can also play around with different herbs, spices, marinades, and condiments to improve flavor.
If you’re concerned about recent or unexpected changes in taste, consult a doctor or other healthcare professional. They can assess your symptoms and determine whether these changes are:
- related to menopause
- side effects of a medication you’re taking
- a sign of another underlying condition or illness
If you experience inflamed or bleeding gums, a couple causes could be at the root.
Characteristics
Menopausal gingivostomatitis is an oral health condition that causes gum inflammation. Your gums may be deep red or noticeably pale, dry or shiny, and bleed easily during brushing or flossing.
Mouth lesions that resemble canker sores may also be present.
Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, is another possible culprit. It usually develops from low quality dental hygiene.
It’s characterized by irritation, redness or other discoloration, and swelling in the tissue around the base of your teeth. Your gums may begin to recede, exposing more of your tooth.
If left without proper management, either condition can lead to a gum infection called periodontitis and tooth loss.
Treatment
Brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing at least once a day, and using a therapeutic mouthwash can help reverse and prevent gingivostomatitis and gingivitis.
Visiting a licensed dentist for regular teeth cleaning and examinations can help. They may recommend cleanings once every 4 months, 6 months, or yearly.
Promoting good oral health and hygiene
These steps can help you prevent damage to your teeth and mouth:
- Brush at least twice a day, especially after eating, with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss at least once a day before brushing your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth as directed with a medicated wash targeting your needs.
- Replace your toothbrush or brush head at least once every 3 to 4 months.
- Disinfect partials, retainers, dentures, and other dental instruments on a routine basis.
If you experience frequent mouth sores or sensitivity, you may find certain dietary changes beneficial.
Spicy, salty, and sour foods, for example, are common triggers for mouth pain and discomfort. Limiting or avoiding these may help prevent pain and discomfort.
Tracking your symptoms can help you identify your food or beverage triggers. Be sure to include how your mouth feels and what you were eating or drinking before your symptoms began.
If mouth pain and discomfort interfere with your quality of life, it’s important to consult a dentist or other healthcare professional. They can review your symptoms and, if appropriate, provide a diagnosis.
If you have difficulty swallowing, a loose or cracked tooth, or severe bleeding, connect with a health professional right away.
The sooner you get care, the less likely you are to develop additional complications.
Though you may not immediately associate menopause with mouth symptoms, it can affect your teeth, gums, inner cheeks, and taste buds.
Some conditions you might experience include oral thrush, tooth sensitivity or pain, dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, impaired taste, or inflamed gums.
Most problems are preventable with good oral hygiene, medications, or home remedies. But if mouth symptoms interfere with your daily activities, seek care from a dentist or other health professional immediately.
Catasha Gordon is a sexuality educator from Spencer, Oklahoma. She’s the owner and founder of Expression Over Repression, a company built around sexual expression and knowledge. You can typically find her creating sex education materials or building some kinky hardware in a fresh set of coffin nails. She enjoys catfish (tail on), gardening, eating off her husband’s plate, and Beyoncé. Follow her everywhere.