Researchers now think that osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, may be linked to bone loss in the jaw, and that can lead to tooth loss because of the damage to the structure supporting the teeth.
Of course your teeth need a strong foundation. And we do know that gum disease by itself can weaken that foundation. Remember in Chapter Two where we talked about the structure of your mouth and how your teeth, bones, and ligaments work together?
We also talked about how gum disease can start to erode that structure. Here we have a different kind of erosion of the structure of your mouth. The studies that have been done suggest that the loss in bone density that signifies osteoporosis means a weaker foundation for the teeth. That can lead to tooth loss, and is considered one of the reasons one-third of all adults age 65 and older have lost teeth.
While the relationship to tooth loss and gum disease is well-documented, it’s less clear how gum disease and skeletal bone density is linked. Researchers speculate that the loss of mineral density in the jaw bone leaves bone more susceptible to periodontal bacteria. That could increase the risk for gum disease and tooth loss. This is significant for women in a couple of different ways. It’s important for women who have osteoporosis because they are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have osteoporosis. It’s also a major concern for postmenopausal women with gum disease because the bacteria that’s causing your gum disease can make you more likely to experience bone loss in the mouth. Without treatment that greatly increases the chances of tooth loss.
Another concern is that we don’t yet know if osteoporosis treatments have the same effect on bones in the mouth as they do on other bones. And there is some concern about bisphosphonates, which are used to treat osteoporosis. They’ve been linked to the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw, although that’s mostly shown up in people getting large doses of them for treatments such as cancer. It’s rare for people taking oral bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis to experience osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Lest you think gum disease and its effect on bones is an issue only for older women, it’s not. It can be an issue for younger women who take oral contraceptives. A study of women age 20-35 found that those who used oral contraceptives had poorer periodontal health than women the same age who did not use oral contraceptives.
This blog was an excerpt from “Are Your Teeth Killing You” by Dr. Charles Martin. For more information about the association between osteoporosis and tooth loss, or to schedule an appointment, call (804) 417-7203 or visit us online at www.richmondsmilecenter.com.
