Dentika Dental Journal
Vol. 26 No. 2 (2023): Dentika Dental Journal

Oral Findings and Gustatory Function of Postmenopausal Indonesian Women with Low Levels of Reproductive Hormones

Lugito, Manuel (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Dec 2023

Abstract

Menopause is always associated with various problems in the mouth. This study aims to determine oral findings and taste function in postmenopausal women in Indonesia. Descriptive cross-sectional sample of 18 postmenopausal women aged between 53 and 89 years living in nursing homes. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, oral examination, measuring total saliva volume, assessing saliva pH, checking estradiol and progesterone levels in the blood. Taste tests were carried out the next day with liquids of three different concentrations of four different taste qualities including sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Research results: average age of participants was 75.4+8.6 years, and average DMFT 16.06+2.59. Significant reductions were seen in pH and saliva flow rate, while the most common oral complaints were xerostomia (22%) and pain in the temporomandibular joint (11.1%). Mean estradiol levels were 1.5 + 4.4 pg/mL and progesterone 0.05 + 0.06 ng/mL. Burning Mouth Syndrome and Oral Candidiasis were not found. The majority reported a higher level of taste sensitivity, especially to solutions with the highest concentration, namely bitter taste. This research shows that subjects experienced changes in oral health due to hormonal changes, side effects of medication, and the aging process. Decreased taste function, especially sensitivity to salty, sweet and sour tastes.  

Copyrights © 2023






Journal Info

Abbrev

dentika

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

d e n t i k a DENTAL JOURNAL is one of the journals managed by TALENTA Universitas Sumatera Utara which first published in 2015. This is an online scientific journal that publishes articles and scientific work from Researches, Case Reports and Literature Reviews in Dentistry and Dental Science. The ...