3 Ways to Ward Off Gum Disease During Menopause

During menopause there is sometimes an increase of gum disease due to the hormonal changes in the body. This increase in hormones can bring a host of trouble including inflamed gums, gum recession, swollen and bleeding gums. How do you protect your gums during this time? Dr. Denine Rice suggests three simple rules to live by:

 

1.     Brush and floss on a regular basis. Brushing and flossing is important all the time, but it is even more critical during menopause. Simply by brushing 2x a day and flossing 1x a day you drastically decrease your risk of dental disease.

2.     Visit the dentist on a regular basis. Not only can a cleaning help protect your teeth and remove any hard plaque that may be below the gum line, your dental professional can also detect any major problems that may be brewing. Dr. Denine Rice recommends, “Discuss any problems you may be experiencing immediately with your dentist.”

3.      Treat hormonal imbalance. The imbalance of hormones in your body can contribute to the increase in risk of periodontal disease. “Brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist can help decrease the risk of periodontal disease, but unless you treat the imbalance you’re at a greater risk for developing long term periodontal problems,” says Dr. Rice.