The Relationship between Flow Rates and Salivary pH to the Events of Oral Candidiasis in Menopause Women at the Helvetia Puskesmas Medan in 2024

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 75 views

The Relationship between Flow Rates and Salivary pH to the Events of Oral Candidiasis in Menopause Women at the Helvetia Puskesmas Medan in 2024

Introduction

Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in women between the ages of 45 to 55 years. During this phase, hormonal changes significantly affect oral health, leading to a decrease in salivary flow rate and salivary pH. These changes can interfere with the ability of saliva as an antifungal agent, thereby increasing the risk of oral candidiasis. This study aims to determine the relationship between salivary flow rates and salivary pH to the events and types of oral candidiasis in menopause women who visit the Helvetia Puskesmas in Medan.

Background

Oral candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the excessive growth of candida fungi. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty speaking. The risk of oral candidiasis increases with declining salivary flow rate and pH. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by acting as an antifungal agent, lubricating the oral cavity, and facilitating the initial digestive process. Decreased salivary flow rate and pH changes can contribute to an increased risk of fungal infections, such as oral candidiasis.

Methodology

This study uses an analytic approach with a cross-sectional design. The research subject consists of 117 menopause women selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria through purposive sampling techniques. Salivary sampling is done by spitting method, and the saliva pH is measured using universal pH paper. The diagnosis of oral candidiasis and its types is done through clinical examination. Data analysis was carried out using the Chi-Square statistical test.

Results

The results showed that the majority of subjects were aged between 55 to 64 years. From the analysis conducted, the relationship between salivary flow rate and oral candidiasis shows a significant relationship with the value of p = 0.006 (p <0.05). Likewise with the relationship between the pH of saliva and the incidence of oral candidiasis, which also shows a significant relationship with the value of P = 0.026 (p <0.05). However, the relationship between salivary flow rates and salivary pH with oral candidiasis types does not show a significant relationship, with each value of P = 0.993 and P = 0.978 (P> 0.05).

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between the rate of salivary flow and pH to the events of oral candidiasis in menopause women. However, there is no significant relationship between the rate of salivary flow and pH to the types of oral candidiasis. This finding shows the importance of maintaining the health of saliva as an effort to prevent the events of oral candidiasis, especially in women who have experienced menopause.

Additional Analysis

Menopause brings fundamental changes in a woman's life. One effect that is quite influential is on oral health. Saliva functions as a natural protector for the oral cavity, helps in the initial digestive process, and maintain the balance of oral microflora. Decreased salivary flow rate and pH changes can contribute to an increased risk of fungal infections, such as oral candidiasis, which is usually caused by excessive growth of candida fungi.

Oral candidiasis can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty speaking. Therefore, attention to oral health in menopausal women is very important. Routine checks and good dental care can help detect changes in oral health early.

Conclusion

From the perspective of public health, educational efforts about the importance of maintaining oral health for menopausal women need to be strengthened. Appropriate interventions, including good drinking habits, balanced diet, and the use of proper oral care products, can help minimize the risk of oral candidiasis. Further research is needed to explore more in the factors that can affect the relationship between salivation and oral health, in order to develop more effective prevention programs for this age group.

Recommendations

With the increasing information about the relationship between salivation and oral health, it is expected that awareness and handling of oral health problems in menopause women can be improved, so that their quality of life can be maintained properly. The following recommendations are made:

Public Health Education: Educational efforts about the importance of maintaining oral health for menopausal women need to be strengthened.
Appropriate Interventions: Appropriate interventions, including good drinking habits, balanced diet, and the use of proper oral care products, can help minimize the risk of oral candidiasis.
Further Research: Further research is needed to explore more in the factors that can affect the relationship between salivation and oral health, in order to develop more effective prevention programs for this age group.

Limitations

This study has some limitations. The sample size is relatively small, and the study only focuses on menopause women who visit the Helvetia Puskesmas in Medan. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between salivation and oral health in a larger and more diverse population.

Future Directions

Future studies should focus on exploring the relationship between salivation and oral health in a larger and more diverse population. Additionally, further research is needed to develop more effective prevention programs for oral candidiasis in menopause women.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between Flow Rates and Salivary pH to the Events of Oral Candidiasis in Menopause Women

Q: What is menopause, and how does it affect oral health?

A: Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in women between the ages of 45 to 55 years. During this phase, hormonal changes significantly affect oral health, leading to a decrease in salivary flow rate and salivary pH. These changes can interfere with the ability of saliva as an antifungal agent, thereby increasing the risk of oral candidiasis.

Q: What is oral candidiasis, and how does it affect menopause women?

A: Oral candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the excessive growth of candida fungi. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty speaking. The risk of oral candidiasis increases with declining salivary flow rate and pH.

Q: What is the relationship between salivary flow rates and oral candidiasis in menopause women?

A: The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between the rate of salivary flow and pH to the events of oral candidiasis in menopause women. However, there is no significant relationship between the rate of salivary flow and pH to the types of oral candidiasis.

Q: What are the risk factors for oral candidiasis in menopause women?

A: The risk factors for oral candidiasis in menopause women include declining salivary flow rate and pH, poor oral hygiene, and the use of antibiotics or steroids.

Q: How can menopause women prevent oral candidiasis?

A: Menopause women can prevent oral candidiasis by maintaining good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and using proper oral care products.

Q: What are the symptoms of oral candidiasis?

A: The symptoms of oral candidiasis include pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, and white patches on the tongue or inside the mouth.

Q: How is oral candidiasis diagnosed?

A: Oral candidiasis is diagnosed through clinical examination and laboratory tests, such as a fungal culture or a biopsy.

Q: What is the treatment for oral candidiasis?

A: The treatment for oral candidiasis includes antifungal medications, such as fluconazole or nystatin, and good oral hygiene practices.

Q: Can oral candidiasis be prevented?

A: Yes, oral candidiasis can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and using proper oral care products.

Q: What is the importance of saliva in maintaining oral health?

A: Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by acting as an antifungal agent, lubricating the oral cavity, and facilitating the initial digestive process.

Q: How can menopause women maintain good oral health?

A: Menopause women can maintain good oral health by practicing good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and using proper oral care products.

Q: What are the benefits of maintaining good oral health in menopause women?

A: The benefits of maintaining good oral health in menopause women include preventing oral candidiasis, reducing the risk of other oral health problems, and improving overall quality of life.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has some limitations, including a relatively small sample size and a focus on menopause women who visit the Helvetia Puskesmas in Medan. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between salivation and oral health in a larger and more diverse population.

Q: What are the future directions for research on the relationship between salivation and oral health in menopause women?

A: Future studies should focus on exploring the relationship between salivation and oral health in a larger and more diverse population. Additionally, further research is needed to develop more effective prevention programs for oral candidiasis in menopause women.