Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Menopause is a natural physiological process involving hormone production changes, affecting many functions and systems. This scoping review offers a contemporary outlook on oral issues related to menopause, such as saliva production, periodontal and alv...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Anca Labunet Adriana Objelean Andreea Kui Laura Rusu Alexandra Vigu Sorina Sava |
| author_facet | Anca Labunet Adriana Objelean Andreea Kui Laura Rusu Alexandra Vigu Sorina Sava |
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| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Menopause is a natural physiological process involving hormone production changes, affecting many functions and systems. This scoping review offers a contemporary outlook on oral issues related to menopause, such as saliva production, periodontal and alveolar bone issues, and changes in the microbiome, and it also investigates the effects of hormonal therapy. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A literature search from 2019 to 2024 was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Articles investigating the oral effects of menopause were included. <i>Results</i>: A total of 30 studies were covered; 8 focused on salivary alterations, 5 on periodontal issues, 7 on bone, 3 on the microbiome, and 7 on multiple oral problems, showing that xerostomia and altered taste are the most common oral manifestations, followed by indirect causal effects on periodontitis. Many of these alterations can be contained through regular consultations and adequate hygiene. Some alveolar bone changes may occur after menopause and are associated with osteoporosis. <i>Conclusions</i>: Postmenopausal women experience notable reductions in salivary flow, pH levels, and taste sensitivity, which are associated with hormonal fluctuations as well as factors such as age, medication use, and treatments for climacteric symptoms. This population is at increased risk for periodontitis, tooth loss, altered taste, lichen planus, candidiasis, and decreased bone mineral density, which also affect the peri-implant area. Osteoporosis and hormonal changes can play a significant role in causing these increased risks. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and consistently monitoring bone health are essential. While changes in the oral microbiome are more heavily influenced by reductions in salivary flow than by menopause itself, hormone therapy may help improve periodontal health by reducing harmful bacteria and fostering a more balanced microbial environment. The intricate impact of hormones on oral health highlights the necessity for further research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6db4facd2e6441148480126242c0eca1 |
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| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-6db4facd2e6441148480126242c0eca12025-08-20T03:14:46ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-05-0161583710.3390/medicina61050837Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping ReviewAnca Labunet0Adriana Objelean1Andreea Kui2Laura Rusu3Alexandra Vigu4Sorina Sava5Dental Materials Discipline, Department 4—Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDental Materials Discipline, Department 4—Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaProsthetic Dentistry Discipline, Department 4—Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDental Materials Discipline, Department 4—Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDental Materials and Ergonomics Discipline, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDental Materials Discipline, Department 4—Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Menopause is a natural physiological process involving hormone production changes, affecting many functions and systems. This scoping review offers a contemporary outlook on oral issues related to menopause, such as saliva production, periodontal and alveolar bone issues, and changes in the microbiome, and it also investigates the effects of hormonal therapy. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A literature search from 2019 to 2024 was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Articles investigating the oral effects of menopause were included. <i>Results</i>: A total of 30 studies were covered; 8 focused on salivary alterations, 5 on periodontal issues, 7 on bone, 3 on the microbiome, and 7 on multiple oral problems, showing that xerostomia and altered taste are the most common oral manifestations, followed by indirect causal effects on periodontitis. Many of these alterations can be contained through regular consultations and adequate hygiene. Some alveolar bone changes may occur after menopause and are associated with osteoporosis. <i>Conclusions</i>: Postmenopausal women experience notable reductions in salivary flow, pH levels, and taste sensitivity, which are associated with hormonal fluctuations as well as factors such as age, medication use, and treatments for climacteric symptoms. This population is at increased risk for periodontitis, tooth loss, altered taste, lichen planus, candidiasis, and decreased bone mineral density, which also affect the peri-implant area. Osteoporosis and hormonal changes can play a significant role in causing these increased risks. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and consistently monitoring bone health are essential. While changes in the oral microbiome are more heavily influenced by reductions in salivary flow than by menopause itself, hormone therapy may help improve periodontal health by reducing harmful bacteria and fostering a more balanced microbial environment. The intricate impact of hormones on oral health highlights the necessity for further research.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/837menopauseoral healthsaliva |
| spellingShingle | Anca Labunet Adriana Objelean Andreea Kui Laura Rusu Alexandra Vigu Sorina Sava Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review Medicina menopause oral health saliva |
| title | Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review |
| title_full | Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review |
| title_fullStr | Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review |
| title_short | Oral Manifestations in Menopause—A Scoping Review |
| title_sort | oral manifestations in menopause a scoping review |
| topic | menopause oral health saliva |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/837 |
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