Oral Health Professionals Are Untapped Resource for Women in Menopause
In a survey of more than 1,000 women age 50 and older, 84% said they did not know their oral health symptoms may be linked to menopause. The survey, conducted by Delta Dental, found that most menopausal women were unaware of how oral health professionals can assist with menopause-related symptoms. While 70% of women in this age group experienced oral health issues since the onset of menopause, only 2% discussed these concerns with their dentist, and only 1% with their dental hygienist. Survey results revealed that 70% of respondents reported experiencing at least one of these oral health symptoms during menopause:
- Xerostomia (39%)
- Gingival recession (30%)
- Dentinal hypersensitivity (28%)
- Dental caries (20%)
- Gingivitis (16%)
- Dysgeusia (13%)
- Reduced saliva production (13%)
- Burning tongue (5%)
