Discover the reasons behind gum changes and how to protect yours
In a survey of more than 1,000 women who had experienced menopausal symptoms, 83% said they didn’t realize menopause could increase the risk of scarring. [1]. However, this symptom is not uncommon – the same survey found that one in three respondents had noticed their gums receding.
Dentist Dr Shabnam Zai says: “As we age, everyone’s gums recede, hence the saying ‘long in the tooth’. It is a sign of wisdom. It is much more common in patients who have naturally thin gums.’
When the bacteria in plaque and tartar build up and irritate the gums, it can cause gum disease, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, your inflamed and sensitive gums, which may also bleed, can lead to gum recession, known as gum recession.
RELATED: menopause and bleeding gums
Your hormones can have a big effect on your dental health as estrogen and progesterone change blood flow to your gums and regulate gum inflammation. When your estrogen level drops, your risk for gingivitis is higher.
What else causes receding gums?
There are many factors that can cause receding gums. Genetics can play a role – you may have been born with more sensitive, thin gums that will be prone to recession. A cross-sectional review of studies on gingival recession found trauma, poor tooth position (for example, teeth that are crowded or protruding), inflammation, and smoking are associated with gingival recession [2]
The surveys they looked at found that age was also a factor – 88% of people aged 65 and over had one or more depression points, compared with 50% of people aged 18 to 64.
It is also something that can happen during orthodontic treatment.
“Too aggressive brushing and poor brushing technique can also lead to recession, as can smoking,” says Dr. Shabnam.
Related: oral health and menopause
How can I deal with this?
It is important to determine the cause of your receding gums and consider treatment, as when the root of the tooth is more exposed, it is more prone to sensitivity and tooth decay.
You should also be aware that the prevalence of moderate and severe gum recession has been found to be higher in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis [3].
“Once the thrush is gone, it doesn’t grow back, so preventing relapse is always best,” says Dr. Shabnam. Once your dentist helps determine the cause of your receding gums, they may suggest that you improve your brushing technique, use a sensitive toothpaste to help desensitize the exposed root, or increase fluoride to strengthen the tooth and prevent caries.
“If you have a tooth that is overcrowded and protruding, sometimes aligning it can bring the tooth into a better position and reduce the risk of further recession. Gum disease is usually not treatable unless it causes a cosmetic problem when you smile. In these cases, once the gums are healthy and the cause has been removed, you can consider a gum graft. This is usually provided by a periodontist (gum specialist), who collects gum from your palate and places it over the recession.
Lifestyle changes you can make include switching to an electric toothbrush. They have built-in pressure sensors to prevent you from brushing too aggressively, and you can buy ‘sensitive’ heads that are much gentler on the gums.
It may also be worth considering hormone replacement therapy. A study looking at women over 50 who were treated with estrogen for osteoporosis found that they were 44% less likely to have severe periodontitis than women who did not take estrogen. [4].
Resources
Dentist Dr Shabnam Zai is Clinical Director at West House Dental, westhousedental.com Follow her on Instagram @drshabnamzai
bibliographical references
1. Delta Dental’s 2023 Senior Oral Health and Menopause Report: Breaking the Stigma
2. MOAWIA M. KASSAB, ROBERT E. COHEN. (2003) ‘The etiology and prevalence of gingival recession’, The Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 134, Issue 2, pp220-225, doi.org/10.14219/jad,a.archive.2003.0137.
3. Duncea I, Pop D, Georgescu C. (2013), “Gingival recession in postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis”, Clujul Med. 86(1):69-73. Epub 2013 Feb 4. PMID: 26527920; PMCID: PMC4462483.
4. Passos-Soares J, Vianna M, Gomes-Filho I, Cruz S, Barreto M, Adan L, Rösing C, Trindade S, Cerqueira E, Scannapieco F. (2017), “Association between osteoporosis treatment and severe periodontitis in postmenopausal women women’, Menopause, 24(7): p 789-795. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000830
