Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President of Delta Dental, told First Alert 6 that perimenopause—the transition from reproductive years to menopause—is often accompanied by changes in oral health, yet most women don’t connect the dots.
Citing company research, Chavarria stated, “83% of women don’t think about this, even though about half experience symptoms like dry mouth, tooth decay, and even tooth loss during perimenopause or menopause.”
She explained that this is related to hormonal changes: a decrease in estrogen leads to decreased saliva production, which affects the mouth’s ability to clean and protect itself.
The survey also showed that dentists are generally able and willing to discuss this with their patients, but about half said they wouldn’t initiate the conversation and would rather their patients bring it up. Therefore, Chavarria emphasized the importance of making women aware of this connection and proactively asking their dentists about it.
She recommends taking preventative measures to protect oral health: “Drink plenty of water, be mindful of decreased saliva; brush your teeth at least twice a day; visit your doctor regularly, and be proactive in seeking out information.”
To address this need, Delta Dental plans to launch a new program focused on women’s oral health next year. Chavarria said the program will bring women’s health benefits into dental offices, aiming to foster dialogue between doctors and patients and reduce disparities in care.