Dentist told a 45-year-old her gum pain was due to aging — until a radio discussion revealing the real reason stopped her cold
Sometimes, there are health symptoms that even doctors struggle to explain, often attributing them to age or other physical factors. Angela Cook, from Oxfordshire, England, had a similar case when she went to a dentist after experiencing “unbearable” gum pain whenever she ate anything, as reported by The Sun on July 28, 2025. The dentist told her the pain was simply due to aging. However, days later, she overheard a health discussion on the radio and discovered the real cause of her gum pain, leaving her stunned.
Angela, a mother of one, had an “intense” gum ache, specifically around her molars, which made it difficult for her to eat or chew hard food. She was forced to stop enjoying her favorite treats as eating humbug sweets, sugarcane, and apples turned “impossible”. Soon, she began struggling with everyday meals, prompting her to visit a dentist, who dismissed the pain, saying it was due to aging. But when she accidentally heard a discussion on the radio about how menopause affects oral health, she discovered the real cause of the intense pain in her gums. Turns out, the woman had been experiencing other menopausal symptoms, viz. hot flushes and mood changes, 12 months before her gum issues, but she never quite understood why. When she heard the discussion, she finally realized she was going through menopause.
Some hormonal changes occur during menopause that can affect some unexpected parts of the= body. According to Healthline, lower estrogen levels during pre-menopause and menopause can cause problems like tooth sensitivity, gum pain, and more. However, a survey conducted by CanesMeno, which included 1,000 women who had not yet gone through menopause, revealed that 89% of women were unaware of the fact that they might experience dental discomfort during that phase. "I never had any tooth or gum problems before the menopause – dentists would tell me how healthy my teeth were. So, this was a massive surprise,” said Angela, who is professionally a psychologist.
After the discovery of the original cause, she didn’t waste much time and started looking for possible treatments online. She did her research and found a video on YouTube about gum massage. The process involved gently rubbing the gums beneath each tooth with her fingers once a day, after flossing. The Banbury resident started following it in June 2022 and felt an “instant difference.” Her symptoms had largely subsided by last year, though she continues weekly gum massages to maintain oral health. While she still experiences occasional aching, it is far less frequent and no longer disrupts her daily life.
The woman noted that she still experiences the hot flushes and even the dental pain once in a while. However, being able to treat it and find relief has felt life-saving. Moreover, simply knowing what the problem was and not having to worry was an even greater relief. "It made me feel validated – there was a reason for what I was experiencing," Angela said.
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