20. Gum Issues

Oh goodie - another month, another menopause symptom! Let’s delve into the pic ‘n’ mix of more menopausal mischief and mayhem, by pulling out (dental pun intended!) and unwrapping this tantalising trio of symptoms affecting another G-Spot - GUMS!

Step forward: Gum recession ~ Gingivitis ~ Gum bleeding!

Approximately a quarter of peri/menopausal women will experience some sort of gum problems.

Symptoms can include:

• Pain or burning
• Swelling and/or pus
• Increased sensitivity
• Dry mouth
• Bad breath
• Bleeding

If you experience these or any other abnormal gum problems at any time, consulting a dental care professional or your GP is always recommended for your peace of mind. They will be able to prescribe any medication, or even recommend something as minimally ‘disruptive’ to your daily routine as a medicated toothpaste/mouthwash.

As you have probably already guessed fellow hotties, it’s all ‘thanks to’ fluctuating and declining oestrogen levels which affects oral tissue, including the gums, salivary glands and jawbone.

Unfortunately, our mouths seem to be in constant use, one way or another, what between the eating, drinking, talking, shouting, crying and lamenting we do! Throw into the menopausal mix those restless topsy-turvy nights, fighting with the duvet trying to sleep, and some of us are still ‘bumping our [poor] gums’ from dusk til dawn!!!

So let’s quit with the moaning, albeit temporarily, and start trying to find tips and solutions to alleviate (yet) another irritating problem!

Problem Solving Tip #1

Get an electric or battery-powered toothbrush - now this may seem like a luxury and, heaven knows our bingo wings could do with the workout, however, a vibrating toothbrush is a necessity in a hottie’s life, as are other vibrating objects…but one piece of advibe adviCe at a time!

Problem Solving Tip #2

Floss every day - that little bit of tape can reach parts that mere bristles cannot, pulling out plaque and tartar that brushing alone can miss. If floss is too fiddly for you, try dental picks (which also discreetly fit in your purse or phone wallet).

Problem Solving Tip #3

Nutritional deficiencies from poor diet choices can contribute to gum deterioration, so do your research - and if you can’t tweak what’s going on to your fork, stock up on your vitamins and minerals. There are a plenty to choose from and they can be extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing. 

Problem Solving Tip #4

Reduce caffeine consumption. We know this can be an emotional crutch that you lean on, however, trust us when we say that you will feel a damn sight better without having so much of it coursing through your veins, leaving you wired yet tired. And if you are going to drink coffee, scientific studies show that it‘s best to ideally wait a good 90 minutes before chugging it, otherwise it plays havoc with our cortisol levels which have a huge role in our sleep/waking up patterns. We have enough on our plates as it is with our hormones going haywire!

And, besides staining the pearly whites, caffeine can also worsen oestrogen imbalances in your body which in turn can increase the severity of peri/menopause symptoms. Plus, there are some of us who add a ridiculously unnecessary amount of sugar, syrups or sweeteners to our caffeine fix, which only contributes to the rotting of our already fragile teeth and gums.

Problem Solving Tip #5

Reduce your stress and anxiety levels as these will only exacerbate your symptoms and overall wellbeing. You need AND want to be cool, calm and collected instead of a hot mess of stress!

Calming activities such as yoga, pilates, stretching, swimming, breathing exercises, guided meditations will all help achieve that oasis of calm.

Or you can simply sit/lie back, chill out and and get your teeth into our relaxing playlist!

(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Footprints In The Sand - Leona Lewis
Turning Page - Sleeping At Last
The Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
Show Me Heaven - Maria McKee
Time To Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Oh yeah…