Believe it or not, your overall health has an impact on your oral health! Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that causes them to become weak and break easily. There is a direct relationship between the health of a person’s bones and their oral health. Osteoporosis can affect your jaw bones and cause dental problems such as loose teeth, periodontal or gum disease, and can even cause you to lose your teeth.

Women, in particular, lose more teeth than men, especially after menopause, unless they are taking hormone-replacement therapy. Even if a person wears dentures and has no teeth, they may still be affected by osteoporosis. Bone loss can occur in the bony ridges that hold the dentures in place, causing the denture to fit poorly. Studies have shown that patients with osteoporosis typically require new dentures much more often than patients who do not have osteoporosis.

If your physician has told you that you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, schedule an appointment with your dental professional to find out whether you have lost any of the supporting bone around your teeth. And if your dental professional has told you that you have lost some of the bony support around your teeth, schedule an appointment with your physician to find out if you need a bone density test. Remember, your overall health has an impact on your oral health!

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