Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become porous and weak. Roughly 6 million women and 2 million men suffer from this condition in the United States. If you are one of the millions who suffer from osteoporosis, there are several connections between the condition and gum disease. While periodontal disease is not a direct cause of osteoporosis, the two are linked in ways that can lower overall quality of life.

How does osteoporosis affect periodontal disease?

Both osteoporosis and perio disease share a number of risk factors.

Accelerated bone loss around teeth may be due to systemic factors associated with osteoporosis. Conversely, many drugs used to treat osteoporosis can lead to serious jawbone degeneration if dental infections or broken teeth are present.

Women and men with a history of periodontal disease or osteoporosis experience accelerated bone and tooth loss. Decreased bone mineral density due to osteoporosis gives rise to more rapid resorption of the bone in the jaw, and modifies the response of the periodontal tissues to bacterial plaque.

In addition to affecting your natural oral structures, this deterioration can result in a poor fit for appliances such as dentures.

How can dental visits help prevent osteoporosis?

For this reason, many people don’t know that they have osteoporosis until the condition has progressed and they experience a fracture. Because osteoporosis directly affects the condition of the bones that hold the teeth in the mouth, one way to determine whether or not osteoporosis is present is through regular oral check ups. The sooner the condition is identified, the sooner it can be treated and the more likely it is that you will be able to lead the healthiest life possible.

How Excellence in Dentistry Can Help

If you suffer from periodontal disease and think you might be at risk for or already have osteoporosis, Excellence in Dentistry can help you establish a course of action to maintain your health. Our team can examine the condition of your bones by looking at the condition of your teeth and let you know if we recommend further bone density testing. We can also examine your gum tissues and overall oral health to ensure that the condition of your gums and teeth does not put your health at risk any further.