Oral health awareness during the menopausal period is essential to minimize the inevitable inconveniences which may occur due to hormonal changes. The decrease in estrogen hormone concentration impacts the oral mucosa in a similar way to the vaginal mucosa due to the presence of estrogen receptors in both of these structures. An estrogen deficiency also affects the maturation process of the oral mucosal epithelium and can lead to its thinning and atrophy, making it more susceptible to local mechanical injuries, causing a change in pain tolerance and problems in the use of removable prosthetic restorations. Mucosal epithelium during the menopausal period is more vulnerable to infections, candidiasis, burning mouth syndrome, oral lichen planus (OLP), or idiopathic neuropathy. Moreover, salivary glands are also hormone-dependent which leads to changes in saliva secretion and its consistency. In consequence, it may affect teeth and periodontal tissues, resulting in an increased risk of caries and periodontal disease in menopausal women. Due to the large variety of complaints and symptoms occurring in the oral cavity, menopausal women constitute a significant group of patients who should receive special preventive and therapeutic care from doctors and dentists in this particular period.

Objective: The aim of the study was an updated analysis of the frequency of leukoplakia in reference to tobacco smoking among the northern Polish population. Material and Methods: Medical records of 5720 patients who suffer from abnormalities and oral mucosa diseases between January 2015–December 2018 were analyzed. Among them, 416 medical charts of patients with leukoplakia were selected. The study group consisted of 196 women and 220 men aged between 21–86 years (average 45.6 years). The analysis was conducted in terms of age, gender, and smoking tobacco. The basic criterion for inclusion in the study was the presence of oral leukoplakia confirmed by histopathological examination, recorded in the chart. Information about the patient’s active smoking was obtained from documented medical interviews. An active smoker was defined as a patient who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day for at least the previous six months. The study used parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Results: The highest incidence of leukoplakia was found in the age group 41–60 (46.6%), where the vast majority were active smokers (85.1%), and mostly men (86.2%). However, among patients with leukoplakia, the highest prevalence of smoking was found in the age group 21–40 years (86.8%) in women, where out of 38 patients with leukoplakia, 33 were active smokers. More patients with leukoplakia were observed in groups of smokers and it was statistically significant. Homogeneous form was the most commonly diagnosed form of leukoplakia in our study; it was found in almost 95% of cases. Leukoplakia was mainly observed on the cheeks. Changes on the gums, the alveolar process or the bottom of the tongue and mouth were rarely found. Conclusion: Our studies revealed that there is a statistically significant correlation between tobacco smoking and the presence of oral leukoplakia among the northern Polish population. It should be noted that dentists, in particular, are capable of early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment of leukoplakia and, most often, crucial elimination of the main risk factor, which is smoking, and the implementation of effective tobacco control interventions.

The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 9 menopausal women and 15 women of the control group. Laboratory tests included the determination of pH saliva, salivary flow rate, and concentrations of lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A, and ionized calcium. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations; however, no statistically significant differences for pH and concentrations of lactoferrin and immunoglobulin A were found. The salivary flow rate in the study group was significantly lower compared to that in premenopausal women. In relation to lysozyme, statistically significant differences were found between control group and menopausal women to the disadvantage of the latter. However, the concentration of ionized calcium in the saliva of menopausal women was distinctly higher than in the saliva of the control group. Conclusion: The saliva of menopausal women appeared significantly different from that of the control group. Differences in physicochemical parameters such as salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations were observed. These differences in saliva properties observed in menopause can potentially affect the oral environment of women in this particular period, possibly increasing the risk of some pathological changes in the oral cavity and consequently indicating the need to take special care of this group of female patients in order to help them maintain proper oral health. Dentists and gynecologists should be aware of the problems associated with menopause and need to provide these women complete health care, including dental care as an integral part.

Introduction: Candidiasis is one of the most common diseases of oral mucosa. It affects all age groups, in particular the elderly population. Yeast-like fungi are constituants of natural oral microflora. A number of risk factors are known to contribute to the clinically overt infection, both...

Oral piercing is an increasingly popular form of body modification, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Despite its aesthetic and cultural appeal, growing evidence indicates that oral piercings have been associated with a range of oral and periodontal complications. This literature review examines the effects of oral piercing on periodontal tissues and summarizes the associated risk factors and preventive measures. The available evidence demonstrates that tongue and lower lip piercings are most associated with periodontal damage due to chronic mechanical trauma and bacterial plaque accumulation around oral jewelry. The principal periodontal complications include gingival recession, gingival inflammation, clinical attachment loss, periodontal pocket formation, and localized alveolar bone loss. In addition, oral piercings have been linked to tooth fractures, enamel wear, mucosal lesions, infections, hypersensitivity reactions, and, in rare cases, systemic complications such as infective endocarditis. The severity of these complications is influenced by factors including the duration of jewelry wear, jewelry design and material, oral hygiene, smoking, and individual periodontal characteristics. Current evidence suggests that many of these adverse outcomes can be minimized through appropriate patient education, the use of biocompatible and well-fitted jewelry, meticulous oral hygiene, and regular dental examinations. Although the existing literature consistently reports an association between oral piercing and periodontal complications, further longitudinal studies are needed to better define long-term outcomes and strengthen evidence-based clinical recommendations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical and antibacterial properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 menopausal women and 22 premenopausal women assigned to the control group. Laboratory analyses included the assessment of unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH, concentration of total protein, lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium. Only participants with clinically healthy periodontal tissues were included in the study. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate, total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium; however, no statistically significant differences for pH, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA values were found. The unstimulated salivary flow rate parameter in the study group was significantly lower than in premenopausal women. Concentrations of total protein, inorganic phosphates, and ionized calcium in saliva of menopausal women were distinctly higher than in the control group. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate a distinct alteration in salivary homeostasis characterized by significantly reduced salivary flow and increased concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphate, and total protein between menopausal and premenopausal women. It suggests that menopause may predominantly affect the quantitative secretion and physicochemical composition of saliva rather than causing a generalized impairment of its antimicrobial and immune components. Longitudinal studies that control for age and other relevant factors, including menopausal duration, hormone therapy, and periodontal status, and that evaluate both salivary concentrations and individual analyte output rates are needed to clarify which salivary changes are independently associated with menopause and to determine their clinical relevance to oral health.