Oral Microbiota, Periodontal Status, and Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Females

Abstract

Background: Alterations in hormone levels during menopause decrease bone density and may worsen oral health, favoring the growth of periodontal pathogens, whose detection could improve the diagnosis of periodontitis. The aim of this study is to detect and quantify the main periodontal pathogens in the oral microbiota of postmenopausal females and to explore the relationship between clinical and periodontal parameters.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 76 postmenopausal females. Dental examinations and sampling for microbiologic evaluation were performed, and a history of osteoporosis/osteopenia was collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting and quantifying Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), and Tannerella forsythia (Tf). The results obtained were subjected to statistical analyses. Statistical significance was defined as P <0.05.

Results: Periodontitis was detected in 77.1% of females with osteoporosis/osteopenia (P >0.05). A significant correlation was found between osteoporosis and missing teeth. T. forsythia and C. rectus were detected in 100% of the samples, Fn and Pg in 98.7%, and Aa in 73.7%.

Conclusions: Osteoporosis did not influence the prevalence of periodontitis among postmenopausal females. The presence of periodontopathogenic bacteria was not sufficient to confirm disease. A preventive maintenance program for postmenopausal females, particularly osteoporotic females, who are at greater risk of tooth loss, could minimize the potential effects of bone loss on periodontal tissues.