Periodontal health status in relation to physicochemical characteristics of saliva among pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women in Baghdad city-Iraq

Abstract

Background: Menopause can bring oral health problems and also associated with significant adverse changes in the orofacial complex. After menopause, women become more susceptible to periodontal disease due to deficiency of estrogen hormone. Current study aimed to evaluate the periodontal health status in relation to salivary constituent including pH, flow rate and some elements (Magnesium, Calcium and inorganic phosphorus) of pre and post-menopause women. Materials and Methods: Periodontal health status of 52 women aged 48-50 years old (26 pre-menopause and 26 post-menopause) were examined including (gingival index, plaque index, calculus index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level). Salivary sample was collected for two women groups, pH and flow rate was recorded, and also biochemical analysis was assessed for some salivary elements include (Magnesium, Calcium and inorganic phosphorus). Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Salivary pH and flow rate of post-menopause women were found significantly lower than those of pre-menopause women, where as the mean of gingival index, probing pocket depth and attachment level indices significantly higher in post-menopause women. The level of salivary magnesium ion was significantly higher in pre-menopause women; also the level of calcium and inorganic phosphorus was lower in post-menopause women with non-significant difference. Conclusions: This study has shown that the importance of preventive dentistry increases with aging in women.