and night sweats are among the most infamous . But you might want to pay attention to your teeth and gums, too.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 not sure that people are aware of this,含羞草研究社� said Dr. Thomas Sollecito, chief of oral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Hormonal changes 含羞草研究社� mainly a sharp drop in estrogen 含羞草研究社� can reduce bone density and saliva production and harm your gums. All of that can affect your teeth.

Oral care experts say there are ways to counteract these effects and keep your menopausal mouth healthy.

Menopause, perimenopause and dental symptoms

Menopause happens when a woman goes 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. But some of the hormone-related dental problems may begin during perimenopause, when the ovaries gradually make less estrogen, said Dr. Maiara Hister-Cockrell, a dentist with the University of Texas Health San Antonio.

One of the biggest concerns is less saliva, which Sollecito called 含羞草研究社渙ne of the most important fluids in our body.含羞草研究社�

When the saliva flow slows, it can cause dry mouth, which brings a greater risk of mouth soreness, oral yeast infections and cavities. Those risks are even higher when people take medicines for high blood pressure or diabetes that can also cause dry mouth, Hister-Cockrell said.

Less saliva also means less of its bacteria-killing enzymes and tooth-strengthening minerals, said Dr. Sally Cram, a periodontist in Washington, D.C.

When your mouth is dry, she said, 含羞草研究社渢hose bacteria are proliferating and you含羞草研究社檙e more prone to get tooth decay.含羞草研究社� And if decay festers, tooth loss is possible.

Decreasing bone density and receding gums exacerbate these problems. If the socket that holds the tooth is less dense, Sollecito said, it含羞草研究社檚 more vulnerable to bone loss. And gum recession can leave some tooth surfaces without the enamel that protects them from cavities.

Women in this phase of life are also more likely to develop periodontal disease, when plaque and bacteria collect under gums and around teeth.

含羞草研究社淕um tissue starts to get red and swollen,含羞草研究社� said Cram, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. 含羞草研究社淚t bleeds and it starts pulling away from the teeth, creating deeper crevices around the teeth that are clearly harder to keep clean.含羞草研究社�

Some people experience 含羞草研究社渂urning mouth syndrome.含羞草研究社� Hister-Cockrell said a burning sensation can extend to the tongue, palate and lips.

含羞草研究社淎s you could well imagine,含羞草研究社� Sollecito added, 含羞草研究社渢his could all really spiral out of control.含羞草研究社�

What can you do?

The first line of defense, experts said, is good oral hygiene and nutrition. Eat a balanced diet low on sweets and high on calcium-rich foods. Brush carefully with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and floss regularly.

含羞草研究社淎n electric toothbrush can be more helpful than manual toothbrushing,含羞草研究社� Cram said. 含羞草研究社淪ee your dentist regularly and ask them: Am I doing a good job? And if I含羞草研究社檓 not, what could help me do a better job?含羞草研究社�

Patients should also ask their dentists whether they should be seen more than twice a year, as well as consider in-office fluoride treatments to strengthen the surface of their teeth and prescription high-fluoride toothpaste.

At home, experts said, treating dry mouth is a priority. So stay hydrated.

含羞草研究社淣one of us really probably drink enough water throughout the day,含羞草研究社� Cram said.

People can also use over-the-counter dry mouth sprays, lozenges or rinses. In severe cases, Sollecito said they can ask their dentist about prescription medications that increase the amount of saliva in the mouth but come with side effects. There are also prescription medications for burning mouth syndrome.

含羞草研究社淭he bottom line,含羞草研究社� Cram said, 含羞草研究社渋s most oral conditions and problems during menopause are totally preventable含羞草研究社� by paying attention, taking good care of your teeth at home and regularly going to the dentist.