Floss and Focus: October 2025: Connecting Oral Health Awareness to Breast Cancer and Menopause

By Erika Gist on October 23, 2025

Oral Health in October:  More Than Just a Smile (and Pumpkin Lattes)

October is more than pumpkin spice lattes, drizzled with caramel sauce, sprinkled golden brittle and cozy sweaters.  It's a month of awareness and celebration.  

This October, we're bringing awareness to Breast Cancer Month, Menopause Awareness Month, and Filipino American History Month, and are highlighting the essential role of oral health in overall well-being.  

Our mouths are not separated from the rest of our bodies.  What happens in the mouth can impact our overall health.  Whether it's the effects of cancer treatment, hormonal changes during menopause, or ethnic foods, oral health is connected to these October observances.

In this month's Floss and Focus, well touch on:

  • How breast cancer treatment can affect your mouth
  • Why menopause brings new oral health concerns
  • Ways to celebrate Filipino heritage with a healthy recipe and smile
  • Quick oral health tips, fun facts, and a short quiz

Breast Cancer Awareness & Oral Health

Breast cancer impacts nearly 1 in 8 women in the U.S., and 2,800 men are projected to be diagnosed with invasive cancer for 2025.  Although survival rates are high for early-stage disease, mortality rates remain higher for women of color compared to other groups.  Breast cancer rates have been slowly increasing since the mid-2000, especially in women under 50 and in Asian American, and Pacific Islander women.  With cancer diagnosis and treatment being the primary focus for breast cancer, oral health is often overlooked or dismissed.  Yet, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy can have major side effects on the mouth.

Common Oral Health Side Effects During Cancer Treatment:

  • Dry mouth (xerostomia):  Reduces saliva flow, leading to tooth decay and infections
  • Mouth sores (mucositis):  Painful ulcers that make eating and speaking challenging
  • Changes in taste:  Food may taste bland or metallic

How You Can Protect Your Oral Health:

  • Visit your dentist before starting any type of cancer treatment
  • Maintain good oral hygiene routine and habits
  • Stay hydrated
  • Let your doctor and dentist know if you experience oral discomfort

Menopause and Oral Health

Women, we see and hear you when it comes to menopause!  This topic was highly requested, when we asked in last month's newsletter what oral health topics, you'd like for us to highlight. 

Menopause is a natural phase in a women's life, usually happening between 45-55 years of age (and sometimes earlier), but it brings about hormonal shifts that affect more than mood, body aches, joint pain, anxiety and hot flashes to name a few surprising symptoms. It also impacts your mouth, gums and teeth.

Did You Know Of These Oral Health Changes During Menopause?

  • Dry mouth:  Less saliva in the mouth can lead to cavities, gum disease and bad breath
  • Gum sensitivity and recession:  Gums may become red, swollen or bleed more easily
  • Burning mouth syndrome:  A burning sensation on the tongue or lips
  • Bone loss: Drop in estrogen may lead to decreased bone density, affecting jaw and teeth health

Oral Health Tips for Peri and Menopausal Women:

  • Brush twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
  • Consider calcium and vitamin D rich diets for oral health
  •  Limit sugary food and drinks
  • Visit your dentist regularly