ORCID
- Katie Muddiman: 0000-0002-0396-6893
- Amazon Doble: 0000-0001-9658-030X
- Raul Bescos Garcia: 0000-0002-3939-4743
- Charlotte Illsley: 0000-0001-9429-633X
- Sally Hanks: 0000-0002-4072-4594
- Lisa du Toit: 0000-0003-3761-616X
- Zoe Brookes: 0000-0002-8096-6256
Abstract
IntroductionThe links between oral health and female ageing are poorly understood, but many changes occur in the oral cavity of menopausal women that affect quality of life, and few current oral health interventions consider gender as part of their approach. The aim of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that the oral microbiome and microenvironment change during female ageing and are thus worthy of further consideration both experimentally and clinically.MethodsThis observational pilot study retrospectively assessed women aged 18 to 89 years (n = 60) attending a UK primary care dental school facility for blood pressure screening, further analysing the salivary oral microbiome using metagenomics and the biochemical microenvironment using high-performance liquid chromatography. Periodontal health screening (Basic Periodontal Examination [BPE]) was then conducted as part of routine clinical care.ResultsThe cross-sectional design classified women into <32 years (n = 18), 40 to 49 years (n = 10), 50 to 59 years (n = 20), and 60+ years (n = 12), but the differences in salivary oestradiol levels between groups were inconclusive. Small numbers were not enough to detect differences in oral microbiome abundance, but nitrate-reducing species (P < .05), nitrate-nitrite–reducing activity (P < .05), and buffering capacity all increased as women aged 60+ years (P < .01), warranting increased numbers. Ageing women also had higher blood pressure (P > .05), were more likely to have periodontal pockets >5.5 mm (BPE4), and had an increased abundance of Porphyromonas (P < .05), but a full periodontal assessment is needed.ConclusionsThese observations suggest that the composition of the oral microbiome changes as women age, and thus, prospective and longitudinal oral microbiome studies with larger numbers are needed, including concurrent full periodontal assessment, plasma hormonal levels, and salivary flow. However, this study suggests that the oral microbiome in older women may require special consideration, with an increased focus on tailored oral hygiene interventions for this group.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-03-25
Publication Title
International Dental Journal
Volume
76
Issue
3
ISSN
0020-6539
Acceptance Date
2026-02-25
Deposit Date
2026-03-27
Funding
Oralieve Enterprise Solutions at the University of Plymouth K.J.M. was also awarded an External Event Grant from the Microbiology Society to visit A.S.S. to perform bioinformatic analysis.
Keywords
Menopause, Dentistry, Oral microbiome, Red complex bacteria, Periodontal
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Muddiman, K., Doble, A., Stephen, A., Bescos Garcia, R., Illsley, C., Nicholas, T., Hanks, S., du Toit, L., & Brookes, Z. (2026) 'A Pilot Study Assessing the Oral Microbiome in Women of Menopausal Age: Do Oral Nitrate–Reducing Bacteria Play a Role?', International Dental Journal, 76(3). Available at: 10.1016/j.identj.2026.109518
