Oral health is an important aspect of overall well-being, especially for frail older people, who are increasingly ageing in place. As this population with associated complex health care needs grows, integrated and collaborative oral health care becomes more urgent. Despite its importance, oral health is often overlooked in both practice and policy. This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators at the micro, meso, and macro levels to improve interprofessional collaboration for oral health care of frail, community-dwelling older people. This qualitative study was conducted in the Netherlands and comprised two data collection methods: six semistructured interviews and five discipline-specific focus group discussions, involving a total of 38 health care professionals. Each focus group consisted of professionals from a single discipline, including oral health care professionals, general practitioners, home care professionals, pharmacists, and public health professionals. Participants represented health care professionals both within nationally recognized integrated geriatric care networks and those not yet participating in such networks. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis in Atlas.ti. At the micro level, barriers included limited awareness, knowledge, and prioritization of oral health, unclear responsibilities, time constraints, and inconsistent referral pathways. At the meso level, participants reported insufficient standardized protocols, lack of interprofessional education, and poor digital integration of medical record systems. At the macro level, key issues were inadequate funding and reimbursement, fragmented policies, and limited support for home-based oral care. Facilitators at the micro and meso level included raising awareness and interprofessional education, practical tools and clear referral pathways, improved ICT systems, and appointing regional coordinators to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration. At the macro level, national guidance and structural financial incentives were viewed as crucial for sustainable integration. In conclusion, this study, identified critical barriers and facilitators for effective interprofessional collaboration and better oral health care for community-dwelling frail older people at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Improvement requires increasing awareness and education among professionals, better integration of oral health care in multidisciplinary care networks, shared electronic medical record systems, and adequate reimbursement. These findings should inform guidelines and be validated through implementation studies.

A Meta-analysis of Oral Health Interventions in Children: Impacts on Knowledge, Behaviour, and Clinical Outcomes.

To compare the therapeutic efficacy of miniscrew implant anchorage with that of conventional extraoral arch anchorage, both of which are combined with orthodontic-orthognathic treatment, in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion. This prospective nonrandomised controlled study included 130 patients. In terms of treatment method and patient preference, 58 patients received conventional orthodontic-orthognathic treatment with extraoral arch anchorage (conventional group), whereas 72 patients received treatment augmented with miniscrew implant anchorage (study group). The treatment protocol for all patients followed the conventional three-stage orthodontic-orthognathic approach. The outcomes assessed included treatment effectiveness, adverse events, root resorption (volume via CT), skeletal and dental changes (via comprehensive cephalometric analysis), soft tissue profile changes, facial aesthetics, and alveolar bone morphology (via CBCT). The total effective rate was significantly greater in the study group (95.83%) than in the conventional group (74.14%) (p < 0.05). While both groups presented significant root resorption posttreatment (p < 0.05), the degree of resorption did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Crucially, CBCT analysis revealed significantly better preservation of the palatal bone plate and alveolar bone height in the study group (p < 0.05). The study group also demonstrated significantly greater improvements in skeletal parameters (SNA, SNB, FMA, and PP-FH), dental decompensation (U1-SN, U1-NA, L1-MP, and L1-NB), soft tissue indices, and facial aesthetics (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in the study group (34.72% vs. 75.86%, p < 0.05). Logistic analysis revealed that oral hygiene, vertical facial pattern, peri-implant swelling, and force application time were independent risk factors for miniscrew success. The integration of miniscrew implant anchorage in orthodontic-orthognathic treatment for skeletal Class II malocclusion provides superior clinical efficacy. Its primary advantage lies in enabling enhanced control over dental decompensation and skeletal correction, leading to significantly improved facial aesthetics, a more favorable mandibular position, and better alveolar bone preservation, with a lower complication profile. This represents an effective and reliable treatment option for these patients.

People in custodial settings are disproportionately affected by, often preventable, oral diseases. Addressing oral health inequities is vital to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage by 2030. Obstacles to achieving Universal Health Coverage for oral health in the custodial context include the deficit of oral health professionals in such settings. Innovative workforce models of non-dental professionals are recommended to integrate oral health into routine custodial care. Despite this, no comprehensive review has been undertaken to synthesise the evidence relating to the role of non-dental professionals working in custodial settings in providing oral health promotion. A scoping review, focusing on non-dental professionals working in custodial settings, was conducted from the data of database inception until 3 April 2024 examining oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices; availability of guidelines/recommendations; and oral health-related interventions. We conducted a comprehensive search for indexed and grey literature and initiated a global call for data. Twenty-three sources of evidence from high-income countries (Australia, United Kingdom [UK], United States [USA]) met our inclusion criteria. Guidelines/recommendations defining the role of non-dental professionals in oral health promotion were located (n=15), yet translation into clinical practice may be variable given the few practices located (n=8). Nurses, physicians, and correctional officers were primarily involved in some aspect of oral health education, screening, treatment, and referral, highlighting the importance of interprofessional collaboration. Oral health-related knowledge was limited among nurses (n=1) yet nurses may be receptive to potential training (n=1). Nine interventions focussed on oral health-related prevention and management, including in-service training, resources, officer escort program, motivational interviewing and whole of prison education program, yet only three were evaluated. Correctional professionals reported oral health-related education and training as feasible, acceptable, and improved their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. Integrating essential oral health care into routine care among people in custodial settings needs to be prioritised. Championing the workforce reform agenda by strengthening and diversifying the oral health workforce in custodial settings can achieve this. Further research is required to explore innovative models of care involving non-dental professionals working in custodial settings. The protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF) (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/GPY76) before the review was conducted.

Oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, as it influences physical health, social confidence, mental stability, and daily functioning. Public Health Dentistry (PHD) addresses oral health at the population level by developing strategies to improve access and outcomes. This narrative review examines the current state, challenges, and opportunities in PHD in India. It incorporates peerreviewed literature as well as policy documents and strategic reports from relevant government health agencies and professional dental organisations to ensure contextual relevance and completeness. The review highlights key areas, including workforce distribution, oral health awareness, mobile dental services, and community outreach. However, persistent challenges such as insufficient manpower, limited funding and a lack of integrated policies continue to pose significant obstacles. Disparities in access to dental care between urban and rural areas underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these inequities. The review emphasises the importance of a robust national oral health policy, integrating oral health care into general health services, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Newer techniques, such as teledentistry and mobile health applications, have the potential to address service deficiencies, particularly in remote or isolated areas. Enhancing community-based oral health education and targeted prevention can lead to lasting improvements in population oral health. Coordinated action among government agencies, academic institutions, and local health systems is crucial to maintain service delivery that is reliable, accessible, and sustainable. A community-centered and equitable approach is essential for reducing the prevalence of oral illnesses in India. Overall, aligning public health priorities with oral health needs can contribute to meaningful and long-term improvements in national health outcomes.

Frequency of Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax with hematological and immunological changes among human.

To evaluate and compare the enamel wear resulting from manual and electric toothbrushing following acid erosion, using natural human enamel specimens. The study aimed to quantify both surface tissue loss and subsurface prism alterations. Twenty-four caries-free extracted human molars were decoronated and sectioned to expose natural buccal enamel surfaces. Samples were divided into two groups (manual vs electric) and subjected to four cycles of citric acid erosion (pH 2.7) followed by controlled brushing (30 strokes per cycle, total 120) using a non-fluoridated toothpaste slurry. Brushing force was standardised to 290-295g. Step height changes were measured via non-contact laser profilometry, and enamel prism alterations were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro-Wilk test (normality), two-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni's post hoc test (α = 0.05). Electric toothbrushes caused significantly greater enamel wear compared to manual brushes across all erosion-abrasion intervals (p < 0.0001). Mean step height increased from 1.38(0.42) µm to 3.65(0.39) µm for manual brushing and from 1.71(0.22) µm to 5.13(0.28) µm for electric brushing. SEM revealed deeper subsurface prism deformation (30-50 µm) in manual samples, whereas electric samples exhibited shallower changes (10-15 µm) with a ∼10 µm interface gap. Electric toothbrushes resulted in significantly more surface enamel loss on acid-eroded natural teeth compared to manual toothbrushes. The nature of subsurface changes differed by brushing mode, with implications for the mechanical impact of brush types on compromised enamel. Brushing technique and toothbrush type influence the extent of enamel wear on eroded surfaces. These findings underscore the importance of tailored oral hygiene advice, particularly for individuals with dietary acid exposure or early signs of erosion.

Impact of improved oral hygiene before nonsurgical periodontal instrumentation on clinical parameters and soft-tissue topography of randomly selected quadrants

The study means to analyze the correlation between clinical and subjective oral health indicators and quality of life in pediatric patients with Complex Chronic Conditions (CCC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 63 pediatric patients with CCC. Data collection in a hospital setting involved oral clinical examinations using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, caries experience (DMFT/dmft), gingival bleeding, and Dental Aesthetic Index. Oral healthrelated quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured using the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), completed by caregivers. Correlations between indicators and quality of life scores were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (ρ), with a significance level of p &lt; 0.05. Results: Poor oral hygiene was observed in 34.9% of participants (mean OHI = 2.03) and a dmft index of 1.67. Gingival bleeding was present in more than 30% of sites in 47.6% of children, and severe or very severe malocclusion was observed in 47.6%. Overall oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) had a mean score of 26.38, with the functional limitation domain being the most affected. There were no correlations between objective clinical indicators and quality of life domains. However, the subjective perception of “difficulty biting or chewing” showed a strong and significant correlation with the functional limitation domain (ρ = 0.823; p &lt; 0.001) and with overall quality of life (ρ = 0.812; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Functional perception (chewing difficulty) proved to be a more sensitive indicator of the impact on OHRQoL in chil-dren with chronic heart disease (CHD) than traditional clinical indices. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating subjective and functional assessments into oral health care strategies for this vulnerable population.

Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a prevalent developmental enamel defect and has been associated with increased caries experience. To determine caries experience and prevalence, and their relationship with the presence of MIH in schoolchildren from Pachuca, Mexico. A cross-sectional study including 714 randomly selected participants aged 6 to 13years. Clinical examination was undertaken and carious lesions and MIH were classified according to ICDAS II and EAPD MIH-criteria, respectively. Questionnaires collected sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health information. Mean age was 8.8 ± 1.8years; mean caries experience for cavitated lesions (ICDAS 5-6) was 2.1 ± 2.5 in primary dentition and 0.2 ± 0.7 in permanent dentition, resulting in a combined mean (dmft + DMFT) of 2.2 ± 2.6. Caries prevalence (ICDAS ≥ 2) was 78% in primary and 46.7% in permanent teeth. Eighty-eight children (12.3%) had MIH, of whom 54 (61.4%) had cavitated lesions (ICDAS 5-6) in permanent teeth, higher than in children without MIH (7%) (p = 0.0001). Mean caries experience (ICDAS 5-6) was significantly greater in the MIH group (1.25 ± 1.34) compared to the non-MIH group (0.10 ± 0.45; p = 0.0001). Variables statistically significantly associated with caries prevalence and experience included the child's age, oral hygiene, MIH presence and soy extract ingestion; and parental perception of the child's general appearance. Several variables, including MIH, child age, oral hygiene and soy extract ingestion, and parental perception of their child's general appearance, were associated with higher caries prevalence and experience.

Oral hygiene represents a modifiable risk factor for systemic health and pulmonary complications yet is not routinely addressed in ALS care. This study aimed to examine the relationships between oral health, disease severity and determinants of health in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS), and to identify key predictors of oral hygiene outcomes. Individuals with ALS completed an oral hygiene and bulbar screening during their multidisciplinary appointment. Disease demographics, determinants of health, oral health outcomes and bulbar disease outcomes were collected. Descriptives and one sample t-tests were performed to compare oral hygiene outcomes with healthy reference values. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between disease demographics and oral health. Sixty-two pALS aged 64.0 (+/- 10.8), 40% female, 31% Hispanic/Latino and 37% bulbar onset disease were enrolled. Compared to healthy reference values, plaque index (M = 1.45, SD = 0.52, p < 0.0001), gingival index (M = 1.25, SD = 0.46, p < 0.0001) and bleeding on probing (M = 35.26%, SD = 26.1, p < 0.0001) were elevated in pALS. Lack of dental insurance was a significant predictor of bleeding on probing (BOP) (p = 0.001), plaque (p = 0.006) and gingival scores (p = 0.001). ALSFRS-R (p < 0.03) was also predictive of greater plaque, and care partner status (p < 0.04), and age (p < 0.02) were predictors BOP. Ethnicity and dysphagia severity were not significant predictors. Oral health screenings conducted during routine multidisciplinary visits identified periodontal disease in pALS, representing a feasible and immediately actionable pathway to improve oral care outcomes in pALS.

The objective of this scoping review was to map existing literature on oral health and related care in individuals with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Specifically, the review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to maintaining oral hygiene, summarise available clinical guidelines and patient-facing resources, and examine how oral health care is integrated within multidisciplinary management of MND. The review focused on oral health practices without restrictions on language, publication date or study type, excluding studies unrelated to MND or oral health. Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and grey literature such as clinical guidelines and patient resources. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers to ensure rigor. Of 847 studies screened, eleven primary studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising case reports, case series, self-reports, cross-sectional studies and letters. The grey literature search identified three clinical guidelines and eight patient information leaflets/resources. The included studies spanned diverse populations, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients with varying disease subtypes and care needs, and explored oral hygiene difficulties, care barriers and unique insights from the case studies. Identified gaps highlighted the lack of integration of dental professionals into multidisciplinary care teams. Barriers such as physical limitations, caregiver dependency and limited-service accessibility were prevalent. However, caregiver involvement, multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions like antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and adaptive oral aids emerged as enablers. Poor oral health was strongly associated with increased pain, aspiration pneumonia and diminished well-being, emphasising the need for targeted interventions. Embedding oral health management within multidisciplinary care frameworks for MND patients, enhancing caregiver training, improving access to dental services and adopting innovative strategies will improve patient outcomes and inform future research.

The Dutch organisation for the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in oral care known as the Kennisinstituut Mondzorg (KIMO) developed three CPGs to support professionals in oral care for (frail) older patients: (1) treatment of root caries, (2) xerostomia and hyposalivation related to medication and polypharmacy, and (3) oral care for homebound frail older adults. However, actual CPG use in practice is not guaranteed. This study aims to assess adherence to these CPGs among Dutch dentists, identify opportunities and barriers for implementation, and formulate recommendations for an effective implementation strategy. A modified two-round Delphi study investigated current practices and opinions of dentists; 260 dentists were invited to participate. For round one, an online survey was developed based on the KIMO CPG recommendations. Round two, informed by round one results, explored perceived facilitators, barriers, suggestions for adapting less-followed recommendations, and preferences regarding CPG information and accessibility. In round one 41 dentists responded and in round two 44 responded. While the value of CPGs was acknowledged, adherence to several recommendations was limited due to practical barriers, such as time, equipment, training, and reimbursement. Further, communication with other healthcare providers was infrequent. Dentists preferred e-mail notifications and on-demand webinars. Digital availability via a website or app was favoured, though half still appreciate paper versions. Practical barriers hinder the use of CPG recommendations in oral care for (frail) older patients. Involving clinicians in guideline development is essential to improve feasibility and implementation.

Dysphagia management in older adults often involves the use of oral thickening agents to modify the consistency of foods and liquids and thereby, reduce the risk of aspiration. Currently, there is limited evidence on the cariogenic potential of these agents and the consequences for oral health in elders. This pilot, comparative in-vivo study evaluated the cariogenicity of four commercially available thickening agents in water: Ensure Multi-thick, Thick & Easy, Thicken Up Clear, and Thicken Up Gel Express. The products were tested in three older adult volunteers (n = 8 tests; two replicates per product across four products) using intraoral plaque pH telemetry. Absolute cariogenicity (AC) was assessed via acidogenic potential (area under the pH-curve below 5.7), and relative cariogenicity (RC) was calculated relative to a 10 % glucose control rinse. One-way ANO-VA was used to compare mean AC and RC across products. All four products demonstrated measurable cariogenicity (AUC < 5.7). Mean AC ranged from 13.70 (Thick & Easy) to 21.62 (Thicken Up Gel Express). Thicken Up Clear and Thicken Up Gel Express showed narrow standard deviations (SD = 0.09 and 0.49, respectively); Ensure Multi-thick showed high variability (SD = 21.02). RC values were highest for Thicken Up Gel Express (0.81 ± 0.15), then Thicken Up Clear (0.68 ± 0.08), and lower for Ensure Multi-thick (0.42 ± 0.42) and Thick & Easy (0.43 ± 0.36). The ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences among products (P > 0.05). Within the limitations of this pilot study, all tested thickening agents showed moderate relative cariogenicity that may be clinically relevant in older adults with existing caries risk factors. These preliminary findings suggest that product selection and preventive oral care strategies are important when thickening agents are used for dysphagia management. Further analyses with larger samples and in vivo clinical outcomes are needed to confirm and extend these results.

We explored the association between the 6‑n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste phenotypes and the incidence and severity of initial caries lesions (ICL) during fixed orthodontic treatment. The participants were aprospective cohort of 44fixed orthodontic patients (16males, 28females, 18.7 ± 5.5years) classified as non-tasters (n = 19) and tasters (n = 25) based on their bitter taste perception of PROP. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence (Cin) of ICL at the facial surfaces of the anterior teeth and premolars at 1, 3, 6, 9and 12months in treatment. The severity of ICL (Enamel Decalcification Index, EDI) was the secondary outcome. Baseline age, sex, caries status, dietary habits, oral hygiene practice, type of treatment (non-extraction/extraction), oral hygiene, and salivary flow during treatment were the confounders/covariates explored. Non-tasters had ahigher relative risk (RR) of atooth developing ICL than tasters at 9months (Cin = 8.6vs 0.6%, RR = 13.4 [4.1-43.7]), and 1year (Cin = 18vs 7.2%, RR = 2.5 [4.1-43.7]) in univariate analysis. The EDI scores were marginally higher in non-tasters than in tasters at 6, 9, and 12months, although the differences were not clinically significant. In the generalized linear models, the teeth in non-tasters had higher odds of developing ICL (OR = 2.8[1.2-6.3]) than tasters, but the effect on its severity was only modest (b = 0.04). The results suggest apossible role of the individual's taste phenotype in the development and severity of ICL during fixed orthodontic treatment.

Periodontal disease is a major public health concern with well-established systemic implications. Despite the increasing emphasis on the periodontal-systemic health connection, the extent to which periodontal disease is integrated into medical education is still unclear. This study aims to assess the knowledge, oral hygiene practices and attitudes of first-year and final-year medical students regarding periodontal disease, while also evaluating its inclusion in the medical curriculum. A cross-sectional study was conducted among first- and final-year medical students at Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising 32 items across four domains: oral hygiene behaviours, periodontal education, knowledge of periodontal disease and awareness and attitudes toward periodontal health. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS v.21. A total of 596 medical students participated in the study, consisting of 281 first-year and 315 final-year students. Final-year students reported significantly higher rates of receiving periodontal education during medical school (41.3%) compared to first-year students (22.4%). In four out of five knowledge-based questions, final-year students demonstrated significantly higher correct response rates than first-year students (p < 0.001). Additionally, in the attitude and awareness section, final-year students showed significantly greater agreement with statements linking periodontal disease to diabetes (p < 0.001). Although final-year students performed significantly better than first-year students in both knowledge and awareness regarding periodontal health, the overall level of knowledge remained insufficient. These findings highlight the need for more structured and integrated periodontal education within undergraduate medical curricula to support early diagnosis, interdisciplinary collaboration and improved patient outcomes.

Aging alters oral structures, affecting chewing and swallowing function. Oral function is increasingly recognized as an important component of systemic health outcomes in older individuals. Understanding age-related changes in oral function is crucial for oral health care. This study comprehensively evaluated the various oral function determinants and their age-related changes, identified key factors, and estimated the prevalence of poor oral functions. A cross-sectional study of older individuals (n = 206) participated. Oral functions were objectively assessed through dental status, saliva secretion, orofacial muscle strength, masticatory performance, and swallowing function. Correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and multiple regression were employed to explore the complexities of oral function determinants and their interrelationships and to estimate the prevalence of poor oral functions. Correlation analysis showed significantly (p < .001) strong (rs = -0.79) to low (rs = -0.11) correlations between determinants of oral function. The cluster analysis successfully identified three major groups of oral function. Further, the multiple linear regression and backward elimination showed that chewing strokes, natural teeth, and tongue pressure (p < .001) were significant predictors of age. Additionally, the prevalence of older individuals with poor dental status, reduced tongue pressure strength, and low saliva secretion rate was estimated at 9.7%, 14.6%, and 8.3%, respectively. Oral function determinants show age-related changes and have the potential to estimate the prevalence of poor oral functions in older individuals. These findings may be critical in identifying the phenotypic profile of people with poor oral function.

BackgroundCigarette smoking significantly affects an individual′s periodontal health.AimThis study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the periodontal health status between smokers and nonsmokers.Materials and MethodsA comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted with a total of 422 participants, 211 smokers and 211 nonsmokers, aged 15–74 years, selected through convenience sampling. Based on smoking intensity, smokers were also classified as light, moderate, or heavy smokers. Periodontal condition was evaluated based on the plaque index (PLI), simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S), and Community Periodontal Index. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods included the Chi‐square test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and post hoc analysis.ResultsThe results revealed that smokers exhibited poorer periodontal conditions, marked by deeper periodontal pockets and increased clinical attachment loss compared to nonsmokers. Furthermore, the data revealed that heavy smokers experienced greater periodontal damage, followed by those who smoked moderately and lightly.ConclusionThe extent of cumulative smoking exposure and the deterioration of periodontal health were found to be significantly dose–response correlated.

To investigate the association between daily toothbrushing and hand washing practices among Brazilian adolescent students. This cross-sectional study analysed data from the 2019 Brazilian National School-Based Health Survey. The sample comprised 120,054 schoolchildren aged 13-17 who completed an electronic questionnaire at school. The outcome variable was 'low toothbrushing frequency' (< twice/day). The independent variables were hand washing frequency before eating, after using the toilet, and with soap. The covariates were the adolescents' sociodemographic characteristics: sex, age, colour/race and their mother's level of education. Data analysis included Chi-square tests with Rao-Scott correction and logistic regression for complex samples. After adjustments, adolescents who rarely/sometimes and those who never washed their hands before eating were more likely to have a low brushing frequency (< twice/day) than those who most of the time/always washed their hands before eating. Similar results were found for hand washing after using the toilet and for washing with soap. Associations were found between oral and hand hygiene practices. Regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics, adolescents who reported infrequent hand washing were more likely to brush their teeth less frequently. These findings reinforce the importance of adopting a common risk factors approach to oral and general health in school health programmes.

Periodontal disease is characterized in part by a host immune-inflammatory response that releases proteolytic enzymes, which damage periodontal tissue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) modulate host immune-inflammatory responses. We investigated cross-sectional and prospective relationships between NSAID use and indicators of periodontal disease, for which there is limited epidemiologic evidence. Data were from the Buffalo OsteoPerio Study of 1342 postmenopausal women ages 53-81 years. Periodontal assessments included measurements of alveolar crestal height (ACH), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival bleeding, taken at baseline (1997-2001) and 5 years later. Prospective outcomes included measures of periodontal disease progression defined by ACH loss, incident tooth loss, and gingival bleeding. NSAID use was assessed via medication inventory at baseline. Demographic, lifestyle, dental hygiene, and medical history information were collected. Multivariable linear and logistic regression modeling was used to examine associations between NSAID use and periodontal health outcomes. At baseline, 45.8% of participants used NSAIDs, half of whom exclusively used aspirin. No significant cross-sectional differences in periodontal measures were found between NSAID users and nonusers. Prospectively, NSAID users had 37% lower odds of periodontal disease progression defined by ACH loss (odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval; [CI]: 0.45-0.88), after controlling for demographic variables, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and dental hygiene behaviors. Prospective associations with PPD, CAL, gingival bleeding, and tooth loss were of variable magnitude and did not achieve statistical significance. In a cohort of postmenopausal women with well-characterized clinical periodontal measurements, use of NSAIDs at baseline was associated with lower odds of periodontal disease progression defined by ACH loss over 5 years of follow-up. NSAID use was not associated with changes to PPD, CAL, gingival bleeding, or tooth loss. Periodontal disease, a common condition characterizing poor oral health, can worsen over time due to the body's inflammatory response, which damages the tissues supporting teeth. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, can reduce inflammation, but whether they have any role in preventing periodontal disease has not been well-studied. We explored this connection in more than 1,300 postmenopausal women from the Buffalo OsteoPerio Study, tracking their oral health over 5 years. At the start, nearly half of the women reported using NSAIDs, mostly aspirin. While NSAID users and nonusers had similar gum health at the beginning, we found that women who used NSAIDs had a 37% lower odds of losing the bone that supports their teeth over the next 5 years. This protective association remained even after accounting for age, lifestyle, medical conditions, and dental care habits. However, NSAID use was not associated with other measures of oral health, like gum bleeding, pocket depth around teeth, or tooth loss. These findings suggest that NSAIDs may help slow some aspects of periodontal disease progression, but their overall effects on oral health remain unclear. Understanding how common medications like NSAIDs affect oral health could guide strategies to protect against gum disease in older adults.