FYI

When patients mention hot flashes or sleep disturbances, oral health may not be your first concern. But new findings from Delta Dental’s 2025 Menopause and Oral Health Survey make one thing clear: menopause-related hormonal changes are impacting your patients’ mouths. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough conversations happening around it.
 

The hormonal shifts behind oral health changes

As women enter menopause, declining levels of estrogen and progesterone trigger physiological changes across the body, including the oral cavity. Estrogen loss reduces the integrity of gum tissue and compromises jawbone density, increasing susceptibility to periodontal disease and tooth loss. At the same time, a drop in progesterone alters inflammatory responses, compounding the risk of tissue breakdown, dry mouth and discomfort. These changes are not rare or subtle and yet they often go undetected in the dentist’s office.
 

2025 survey insights

Our latest data reveals:

• Most women 40+ are not aware of any menopause-related oral health symptoms sometimes referred to as “menopause mouth,” yet many report experiencing an increase in symptoms.
• 83% of women 40+ say having a better understanding of menopause’s impact on oral health would help them stay up-to-date on dental checkups.
• 74% of women 40+ say having a better understanding of the connection between oral health and overall health would make them more likely to discuss the impact of menopause on oral health with their dentist.
• Many women feel embarrassed when bringing up menopause-related concerns in health care settings.
  
  

For dental professionals, this signals a critical gap and an opportunity. You’re often one of the few health providers seeing these women regularly during midlife, placing you in a unique position to identify changes, educate patients and normalize the conversation.

Get the detailed report and other facts on the menopause-oral health connection on our Oral Health and Menopause page.
 

Why it matters for your practice

If overlooked, the oral-overall health connection during menopause may lead to missed diagnoses and compromised care. Your team may be seeing signs like dry mouth, gum inflammation and bone loss. By connecting the dots to hormonal health, the underlying cause can be addressed.

Proactively integrating menopause awareness into your practice protocols can improve:

• Early detection of hormone-related oral conditions
• Patient trust and engagement through empathetic conversations
• Treatment outcomes by addressing root causes
• Continuity of care through better communication with patients' broader health care teams
   

Taking the next step

Get our resources designed to bridge the knowledge gap between menopause and oral health. We’re offering up survey results, patient handouts, clinical guidelines and evidence-based information you can share with your team and patients. The materials are designed to facilitate conversations and provide actionable tips.

Watch our webinar recording of oral health experts discussing the latest research, clinical protocols and patient conversation strategies.