MENOPAUSE AS A FACTOR OF ORAL HEALTH

General increase of longevity in Ukraine and around the world along with the increasing number of women over 50 necessitates implementation of comprehensive scientifically based programs aimed to improve health and quality of life of this part of population. The aim of this review of international and Ukrainian studies was to investigate in depth hormone associated mechanisms of pathologic conditions formation in peri- and postmenopausal women. Materials and methods. Studies on association of climacteric symptoms and symptoms of dental pathology were analyzed. Results. Our literature review showed worse condition of dental health in menopausal women. The pres­ence of estrogen receptors in oral mucosa and salivary glands increases the risk of dental pathology when ovarian function diminishes. Gradual decrease of ovarian steroids in female body causes changes in oral microbiota and changes microbial landscape of periodontal pockets and effects local immunity. This causes increase of oral mucosa pathology such as glossodynia or burning mouth syndrome, lichen planus and angular cheilitis. It also causes the increase of periodontal diseases rate. Conclusions. Cross-disciplinary interaction of dentists and gynecologists-endocrinologists will provide possibilities to discover more common causes and pathogenic mechanisms of periodontal diseases and oral mucosa in menopausal women. This will provide possibilities for the development of comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis.