Salivary pH and microbial colonization in postmenopausal females: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is defined as time at which cyclic ovarian function as manifested by menstruation ceases giving rise to adaptive changes at oral and systemic levels. Estrogen can affect many oral tissues such as salivary glands, oral mucosa, function of taste buds, and neural networks. Alterations in salivary function and composition may lead to alteration in oral microbiome, which in turn has a large impact on the quality of life. Aim and Objective: (1) To evaluate and compare saliva pH and microbial colonization in postmenopausal females with and without oral symptoms. (2) To determine a probable causal association between saliva pH, microbial colonization, and oral symptoms in postmenopausal females. Materials and Methods: After obtaining informed consent, a questionnaire covering information on systemic diseases and oral symptoms was recorded in a proforma for each of the 20 healthy female patients attending dental outpatient department. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, its pH was measured, and later it was cultured to determine the colony count of various microbes in it. Student’s t-test was used to determine statistical analysis of recorded values, and P < 0.01 is considered statistically significant. Results: Mean value of salivary flow was more in asymptomatic females. Statistically significant correlation was found between saliva pH and total colony count of microbes in asymptomatic and symptomatic postmenopausal females (P < 0.05). Conclusion: From the present study, we conclude that saliva composition may be a significant correlation of expression of oral symptoms in postmenopausal females.