Study on the relationship between menopausal age, body mass index and total number of teeth

Ioana Madalina Lescai,Laurenta Lelia Mihai,Monica Mihaela Cirstoiu

doi:10.37897/rjs.2021.1.5

Abstract

Objectives. The objective of this study is to assess the state of oral health, from the perspective of the number of teeth present, according to the body mass index as a representative element of health. Materials and methods. This study consists of 180 patients from a private dental practice. All 180 patient records were reviewed for an assessment of the number of teeth present and the body mass index at menopausal age. The cohort of patients was divided into two groups, a group of women aged 40 to 54.9 years and the second group, which included women aged 55 and over. The 2 groups were divided based on premenopausal (group I) and postmenopausal (group II) age. Results. The average number of present teeth (based on radiographs) for the entire population of 180 patients is 22.02 teeth. In group I, for the 109 women in the premenopausal group, the average number of teeth is 23.94. The total number of teeth for the 71 women in the postmenopausal group is 19.07. The average BMI for the entire group of patients is 27.24 kg/m2, with a lower value in group I, 26.25 kg/m2, compared to group II, 28.78 kg/m2. Discussions. The average number of teeth in the premenopausal group is higher than in the postmenopausal group. The average body mass index places the whole series of patients in the overweight category. Conclusions. This study shows that the relationship between BMI and the number of lost teeth is positive and proportional, BMI increases with increasing number of teeth lost at premenopausal age.

Highlights

Menopause is caused by permanent alterations in the ovaries’ hormonal and reproductive functions
Low bone density is believed to be linked to a high body mass index [4,5,6]
One conclusion of the study is represented by the homogeneous distribution of patients by age ranges of the 2 groups, premenopause and postmenopause

Summary

Introduction

Menopause is caused by permanent alterations in the ovaries’ hormonal and reproductive functions. Natural menopause is a normal stage in a woman’s life, described as the cessation of natural menstruation for 12 months in a row at the age of 45 to 55 [1]. Hormonal alterations have an impact on a woman’s reproductive system as well as other aspects of her life. Hormones have a significant impact on the quality of life and the systemic bone loss. During menopause the gums become more vulnerable to plaque, increasing the risk of gingivitis and advanced periodontitis [2,3]. Are postmenopausal women at risk for skeletal loss, and for alveolar bone loss from periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss [7,8,9]. Tooth loss occurs when a tooth is separated from its supporting structure, due tooth decay, periodontal disease, periapical infection, endodontic therapy failure or fractures [10,11]

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Conclusion