Osteoporosis and Oral Health

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones all over the body. It is a medical condition characterized by a weakness of the bones, due to different factors, leading to fractures of the bones due to minor trauma or no trauma at all. Major causes of osteoporosis are age, heredity, menopause, lack of Calcium and lack of Vitamin D.

Osteoporosis can affect both men and women. However, women after menopause are mostly affected. Some people are at a greater risk suffering from osteoporosis than others. Being a woman, white or Caucasian, having someone in the family with osteoporosis, puts you at a greater risk for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition worth worrying because the number of affected people is increasing every day, worldwide.

A lot of people wonder what osteoporosis has to do with oral health.

Osteoporosis and Oral Health

As mentioned, osteoporosis is a health condition affecting mostly the bones. It is a disease characterized by a low bone density, bone weakness, and possible bone fractures.

As it affects the bones all over the body, osteoporosis has a negative impact on the overall health and well - being of the affected person. It has also a direct impact on oral and dental health. Osteoporosis can also damage the jawbones, as well as it can trigger different health issues when it comes to dental and oral health. It can cause gum disease, periodontal disease and even leading to a loss of teeth.

As women are the one being most affected by osteoporosis, oral and dental effects are also most visible among women than men. Osteoporosis can affect the dental and oral health of a person, regardless if he/she had ever had dental or oral problems, has teeth or not, wears dentures or not, etc.

Bone weakness due to osteoporosis may also affect the body ridges that normally hold the dentures into their proper position, resulting in poor-fitting dentures. People suffering from osteoporosis usually require new dentures more often than those who have healthy and strong bones.

If the jawbone is affected by osteoporosis, a teeth loss is more likely to occur as well as teeth mobility. Women are also more likely to have these problems than men, as they are mostly affected by osteoporosis, especially after the age of 50. A low bone density of the jawbone can also lead to other dental and oral issues. For instance, women diagnosed with osteoporosis are more likely to have difficulties when it comes to loose dentures and ill–fitting dentures. This leads eventually to various dental and oral surgical procedures to treat their problem.

The best way to handle any problem when it comes to oral and dental health is by not delaying or postponing dental check – ups and dental treatments. Regular dental visits are very important to diagnose and treat any dental and oral problem on time, especially in cases when there is a bone weakness due to osteoporosis.

A healthy lifestyle is a key to the good health in general, not just to a good bone health. A well-balanced diet, rich in Calcium and Vitamin D, present always a smart choice, combined with regular physical activity and exercises. Recommended exercises include jogging, running, dancing, walking, etc. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are a smart choice when it comes to your health, not just oral and dental health.

People suffering from osteoporosis should get a dental check – up every time, they notice anything new when it comes to their oral and dental health. The right diagnosis and the right treatment started on time will help them their beautiful smile.