Women’s health undergoes unique transformations that require specific attention. For instance, the relationship between female sex hormones and oral health is well-documented, though many patients may be unaware of the connection.
Dental professionals have a duty of care to support at-risk patients. For women, changes in the body due to intense hormone activity can have a negative impact on oral health. This activity is crucially identified at three defined stages:
- Adolescence – puberty is frequently accompanied by exacerbated gingivitis, regardless of dental plaque presence
- Pregnancy – hormonal surges increase gingival inflammation and transient tooth mobility
- Menopause – the drop in female sex hormones leads to xerostomia, altered salivary flora and bone resorption, contributing to the worsening of periodontal disease[i]
How periodontal tissue responds to microbial plaque can be changed by hormones, triggering periodontal disease. Also important to note is the role of oral contraceptives, and the hormonal impact that they cause – research has noted the periodontium changes found in patients who use them, with increased tooth mobility found.i
Why menopause?
The sustained time span of menopause (symptoms usually last for 7-9 years) demands that close attention is paid to its effect on the body. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps manage menopause symptoms by replenishing the low levels of oestrogen and progesterone. Such symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, interrupted sleep, mood swings, and anxiety and depression.[ii] However, HRT is not suitable for patients who have a history of chronic health conditions like cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease or blood clots.[iii] For those that are able to receive HRT, the anti-aging benefits can ultimately improve quality of life[iv] – but does it affect oral health?
Bone protection
HRT improves fat distribution, lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, helping to prevent the progression to diabetes in postmenopausal women. It also preserves and enhanced bone mineral density, mitigating bone loss and reducing the onset of osteoporosis.iv This extends to the alveolar bone, where compromised bone density can weaken the supporting structures of the teeth and lead to edentulism.iv This may also make it more difficult for restorative implants to osseointegrate. It is oestrogen that plays a central role in maintaining bone density, so HRT counteracts the bone loss associated with diminished hormone levels, ensuring that the teeth are well-supported.[v]
Tissue troubles
Oestrogen also exerts protective effects on oral tissues, modulating immune responses and reducing inflammation. The gingivae and salivary glands play a key part in maintaining the oral microbiome, and the presence of oestrogen in HRT may support these soft tissues and alleviate menopause-associated symptoms like xerostomia and the subsequently higher risk of periodontal disease.v A study on postmenopausal women found that most complained of dry mouth throughout the day and night, and that these complaints were massively reduced after HRT.[vi] As reduced salivation and a more acidic oral pH promote bacterial growth, HRT intervenes and helps balance the microbiome with increased salivary levels.[vii]
Working together
The impact of menopause is far-reaching, affecting daily life on a physical, mental, and emotional level. HRT can help as part of a wider preventive approach to protect at-risk patients – an approach that is tailored to their specific requirements and encompasses the hormonal context. Dental practitioners should help as part of a broader interdisciplinary team, collaborating with general practitioners and gynaecologists to optimise care for women at every stage of their hormonal life.
One aspect to consider is guiding affected patients towards products that are designed to help manage symptoms of the menopause. A trusted signifier of this is the MTick® mark of accreditation from GenM, awarded to certified solutions that help patients with at least one of the 48 recognised signs of menopause.
To provide oral care support for menopausal patients, recommend the CS 5460 toothbrush from Curaprox, which is now emblazoned with the MTick®. Featuring an octagonal handle and angled head for enhanced handling, the toothbrush has 5,460 ultra-fine Curen® filaments that are extremely gentle on the soft and hard tissues. Menopausal patients reporting sensitive or bleeding gingivae will benefit from the comfortable yet comprehensive clean provided by the CS 5460, improving their daily oral hygiene routine.
Spread the word
The rise in awareness of menopause and its impact on dental care is worth highlighting, but there is still more to do. By keeping up to date on the latest information, such as the role of HRT and its effect on oral health, dental practitioners are better equipped to give their patients an outstanding quality of care and improve their life.
To arrange a Practice Educational Meeting with your Curaden Development Manager please email us on sales@curaden.co.uk
For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk
Author: Andrew Turner, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Curaden UK
[i] Lopes Cardoso, I., Fryde, M., Guimarães, M.I. and Leal, F. (2025). Impact of female hormonal changes throughout life on oral health: A scoping review. Journal of Dental Sciences. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2025.09.016.
[ii] Harper-Harrison, G., Shanahan, M.M. and Carlson, K. (2023). Hormone Replacement Therapy. [online] National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493191/.
[iii] NHS (2023). About hormone replacement therapy (HRT). [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/about-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/.
[iv] Yanachkova, V., Vasileva-Slaveva, M., Kostov, S. and Yordanov, A. (2025). Reconsidering Hormone Replacement Therapy: Current Insights on Utilisation in Premenopausal and Menopausal Women: An Overview. Journal of Clinical Medicine, [online] 14(20), p.7156. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14207156.
[v] Sharma, N. and Amit Reche (2023). Unraveling the Relationship Between Osteoporosis, Treatment Modalities, and Oral Health: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus, [online] 15(11). doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49399.
[vi] Wang, L., Zhu, L., Yao, Y., Ren, Y. and Zhang, H. (2021). Role of hormone replacement therapy in relieving oral dryness symptoms in postmenopausal women: a case control study. BMC Oral Health, 21(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01966-6.
[vii] Lopes Cardoso, I., Fryde, M., Guimarães, M.I. and Leal, F. (2025). Impact of female hormonal changes throughout life on oral health: A scoping review. Journal of Dental Sciences. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2025.09.016.
