Nobody warned me what might happen to my pearly whites…

Over a roast in the local pub last Sunday I found myself literally gritting my teeth in frustration. One girlfriend told me that she only flosses twice a week. Another merrily confessed that she has an annual dentist appointment, but ‘sometimes I forget’! Oh, so funny. I, meanwhile, see the hygienist every three months, and the dentist twice a year. I brush and floss at least twice a day. Who has the best teeth of all? Guess. Not me.

I put this firmly down to menopause. Oral health symptoms are only too common at this time of life, and I seem to have most of them; dry mouth, shifting teeth, and less than optimal gum health (according to my hygienist).

I am obsessed with teeth. Absolutely obsessed. And never more so than now, aged 53, firmly postmenopausal and peering into my mouth like it’s a crime scene. As I say, I put most of this down to menopause, with a grumpy nod to the actual ageing process. Every part of the body is affected by oestrogen, or a lack of it, including the mouth.

Dr Sam Jethwa at Bespoke Smile (and the 19th president of British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) tells me that many of his patients come to see him in their forties and fifties, baffled by the changes in their once-excellent teeth.

So what goes wrong, exactly?

Hormonal changes, he points out, can decrease salivary gland output, causing some women to experience a dry mouth. What’s more, saliva protects our mouth, so when there’s less of it, bacteria can breed faster and food debris is less likely to be washed away. This can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, infections and gum problems.

This last is – annoyingly for me – not just about mouth health. Develop periodontitis, or end-game gum disease, and not only might you lose teeth, but the associated inflammation can spread throughout the body and raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s. In spite of my efforts, every time I see the hygienist she patiently tells me how to brush my teeth. I am 53. Neither of us enjoys my visits.

Next up – shifting teeth, again linked to hormones. Bone loss in the jaw may decrease, leading to loose, or even lost, teeth. Anyone else have braces in their teens and think that meant you’d have good teeth for ever? Yeah, me too. And in the early nineties they didn’t give you a retainer. I had braces in my late thirties (for the second time) and in spite of wearing a nightly retainer, they are once again inching inwards.

And finally – teeth chip and stain, meaning they are now less than sparkling. You might find the trend for perfect white teeth annoying. Why should we have to bow down to societal pressure and exhausting standards? But it’s a fact that good teeth mean a comfortable mouth, easier eating (seriously – you don’t want to be stuck on soft foods) and are a good indication and impression of overall health. There’s no need to go full Hollywood smile by any means, but maintenance matters.

Read more: Why people lie about their tweakments to their other halves 

Thankfully, there are plenty of solutions

Sam recommends reducing alcohol and caffeine, which both dry the mouth. Try chewing sugar free gum, drinking plenty of fluids (though not alcohol and caffeine and rinsing with water after eating. So far, so obvious. As is flossing daily and brushing teeth twice a day – before breakfast and before bed.

I think that the strangest menopause mouth problem is what’s known as burning mouth

When it comes to cosmetics, Sam points out that a little can go a long way – veneers and composite bonding can help to both strengthen the teeth, and allow them to appear aesthetically pleasing.

I think that the strangest menopause mouth problem is what’s known as burning mouth – where it feels as though your mouth has been set on fire from the inside. Here, you might want to avoid toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate or SLS (this is what makes it foamy, but can also increase the burning), as well as swerving spicy foods and alcohol.

Here’s the good news. Sam says that there is a solution for almost every menopausal mouth problem. Teeth can be strengthened, straightened, whitened and – if necessary – replaced. Habits can be changed.

I second this. What I’ve learned in years of writing about the ageing mouth (so glam) is that the mouth is a constantly evolving story and it’s never too late for a happy ending.

Go on love, give us a smile!

Why not try….

TePe Hydrating Mouthwash, £8
Dentek Easy Brush Eco Friendly interdental brushes, £9.25 for 6 packs or £2.33 individual pack, boots.com 
Biotene Dry Mouth Toothpaste, £4.32
Whites Rose Gold Sonic Electric Toothbrush, £39.99