Show Notes
This week I'm joined by my friend Jen Bianchi, a dentist with nearly 20 years' experience, to talk about something we hardly ever hear in the perimenopause and menopause conversation: our teeth. Jen explains why the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, what bleeding gums can tell us, and why getting the basics right beats any miracle product. We also dig into dry mouth, the sneaky sugars hiding in squash and herbal teas, burning mouth syndrome, and what we do (and don't) know about HRT and gum health. It's an honest chat about science, stress and why we so often put ourselves last on the list. Key Takeaways
Healthy gums don't bleed. Gum health is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stress, so bleeding is worth acting on. Do the basics well. Brush twice a day for two minutes with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Spit, but don't rinse, and clean between your teeth. How often you eat matters as much as what. Keep sugar to mealtimes, choose savoury snacks, and stick to water or milk in between. Watch out for squash, herbal and fruit teas, and extra strong mints. The research on perimenopause, menopause and teeth is still limited. Busy lives, medication and dry mouth all play a part. If you have burning mouth or recurrent ulcers, ask your GP about iron, B12 and folate. Dentists aren't there to judge you. If life has got in the way of your check-ups, just book in. When it all feels like too much, start with one thing.
Episode Highlights
02:00: Why dentists call the mouth the gateway to the body, and what gums can reveal about heart health, diabetes and stress. 04:00: The basics: how long to brush for, why you shouldn't rinse after brushing, and where mouthwash fits in. 09:00: What the research does (and doesn't) say about teeth in perimenopause and menopause, and how overload affects our dental health. 12:00: Why constant snacking keeps your mouth under acid attack, and what to eat and drink instead. 20:00: Burning mouth syndrome in menopausal women, and the link to iron, B12 and folate. 40:00: HRT and gum health: what we know, what we don't, and why it's so hard to untangle. 50:00: Jen's three things to take away, including why "back to basics" is the message.
About the Guest Dr Jen Bianchi isa a dental surgeon, partner and practice principal at The South Street Dental Practice in Elgin, Moray. Having spent her career workign in general dental practice in Moray, Jen has a particular interest in holistic, family-focused dentistry- looking beyond just teeth and gums to consider the health, wellbeing and individual circumstances of the person behind the smile.
Website: https://southstreetdental.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/southstreetdental
Mentioned in the Episode
My previous episode with Caz, the GP Up next: GP episodes answering your questions. Send me your questions by DM and I'll put them to the doctor.
End Credits This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!
More from This is 40
This week I'm joined by Naomi Gale, a pelvic health educator, former teacher and author of two books. Naomi specialises in nervous system-led holistic pelvic care, and we cover a lot of ground, from why we should all be using the proper anatomical words to what vaginal steaming actually involves. We talk about the pressure women are under to say yes when our bodies are saying no, why your symptoms might be feedback rather than a problem to fix, and how Naomi's first book ended up shadow-banned on Amazon. I loved this conversation, and I hope you leave it feeling a little more connected to your body. Key Takeaways
Perimenopause crept up on me, and I genuinely didn't know it was a thing until I was in the middle of it. So for this episode I've invited my friend Dr Caroline McKenzie Hill, known to me as Caz, to give us the GP's view. We keep things broad today. We cover when perimenopause can start, how to tell it apart from burnout, the symptoms nobody warns you about, where HRT fits in, and how to prepare for a GP appointment so you feel properly heard. Please send in your questions too, as Caz will be back to answer them! Key Takeaways
This week I'm joined by Nikki, a much-loved old family friend, who has just turned 50. She's a former primary school teacher and senior leader who now supports women to show up in their lives in a connected, embodied and powerful way. Nikki shares how her forties turned into a deep invitation to come back to herself. We talk about learning to hold firm, warm boundaries, and about perimenopause as a paradigm shift rather than something to fear. We also get into why women still have to advocate so hard for themselves, and how the simplest acts of connection can be the most powerful. Nikki finishes by guiding us through a short somatic practice you can try at home. Key Takeaways
Everyone online is telling us to lift weights, but nobody seems to explain why. In this episode I'm joined by my friend Aoife, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor who specialises in strength training through perimenopause and menopause. I worked with Aoife before I'd ever picked up a weight, and her passion for helping women feel strong is completely infectious. We talk about what's happening with our hormones, why keeping our lean muscle mass matters so much, and how to fit strength work into a busy life without the guilt. We also get into bone density, jumping, pelvic floor health and the "I'll get bulky" myth. If you've ever felt unheard when you've said "something doesn't feel right", this one is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Lifting weights isn't a trend. Maintaining lean muscle mass supports our strength, posture and independence, and helps us to live well for longer.- Something is better than nothing. The textbook says two to three sessions a week, but ten minutes counts, so don't set yourself up to fail.- Bones need impact as well as muscle. Bone density peaks around 30, and jumping (even off the bottom stair) helps.- Think "engage" rather than "brace" for your core and pelvic floor, and get your pelvic floor checked if you have any concerns.- Talking about perimenopause matters. Sharing stories helps us to advocate for ourselves, and you are worth showing up for. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS - 02:00: Why we should be lifting weights, and why perimenopause can begin as early as 35- 04:00: Oestrogen "dipping and diving" like the sea, and why lean muscle mass is the goal- 08:00: How often should we lift? Aoife on why any amount beats none- 16:00: Bone density, the Aero versus Crunchie analogy, and why jumping matters- 19:00: Pelvic floor, breathing and core: why engaging beats bracing- 28:00: Busting the "I'll get bulky" myth and taking up space ABOUT THE GUEST Aoife is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor who specialises in strength training for women in perimenopause and menopause.- Website: - Instagram: MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE Instagram @aoifemeldonpt
Welcome back to This is 40. I’m by myself again today, we had a minor technical issue with my scheduled guest, Aoife, but I'll have her on the show next week!