Teeth and bones are the hardest parts of your body. Both are white and primarily composed of calcium. Though they are not the same, oral health and bone health are interrelated. For example, many studies suggest that those with bone diseases are more vulnerable to tooth loss. So, how does bone health affect your teeth and gums? Keep reading to know more on this topic.
Osteoporosis and tooth loss affect many older men and women. Osteoporosis leads to the loss of bone density, making the bones fracture-prone. Although the bones in the wrist, spine, and hip are more susceptible to this disease, it can affect any bone in the body. In America, more than 10 million people aged 50 and above have osteoporosis. Of these, about 8 million are women. Overall, 43 million adults in the USA have low bone mass and are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.1 Now comes the question, how is tooth loss or jaw bone loss related to osteoporosis?
Well! Several studies have established a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. The jaw bone supports and holds the teeth. When it loses density, which means loss of minerals and strength of the bone, it can no longer keep the tooth fixed to the jaw. Consequently, tooth loss occurs. Tooth loss because of poor bone density commonly affects older adults. However, tooth loss may also result from bone loss caused by untreated cavities and gum diseases.
How Does Skeletal Bone Density Affect Oral Health?
The part of the jaw bone that supports our teeth is the alveolar bone. Several studies have associated the loss of alveolar bone and an increase in tooth mobility (loose tooth) and tooth loss. In addition, the hormonal up and down makes women more prone to osteoporosis. Resultantly, they are three times more likely to experience tooth loss because of osteoporosis than those who do not have the disease. Similarly, periodontal tooth loss is more severe in post-menopausal women compared to menstruating women.
How Are Periodontal Disease and Bone Health Related?
Periodontitis or periodontal disease is gingivitis gone wild. Yes, periodontitis starts as gingivitis—a common and mild gum disease-causing redness, swelling, and irritation in gums. When left untreated, it advances to chronic infection, gum bleeding, receding gums, bad breath, and eventually tooth loss. Harmful oral bacteria and the immune response to infection damage the bone and connective tissue that secures teeth. It triggers tooth mobility, causing tooth loss, or necessitating teeth removal. Although numerous studies have spotlighted tooth loss as a periodontitis outcome, the relationship between periodontitis and skeletal bone density is still under debate. Some studies show a direct and strong association between periodontitis, bone loss, and tooth loss. The decline in alveolar bone mineral density is likely to make the bone more vulnerable to periodontal bacteria, raising the risk for periodontitis and tooth loss.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are one of the common causes of jaw bone loss. Activities like chewing and biting help preserve and strengthen it. However, jaw bone deterioration begins after removing or replacing a tooth in adults. 25% of bone gets lost in the first year after tooth extraction, and this bone corrosion continues with time. When teeth fall out, the alveolar bone does not get the necessary stimulus to anchor the teeth, resulting in resorption. As a result, the jaw bone no longer serves its function in the body, so it deteriorates.
What Are the Signs of Jaw Bone Loss?
Jaw bone loss manifests as:
- Distortion of facial features
- Unclear speech
- Changes in facial structure or bite
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth shifting
- Wrinkling around mouth
- Jaw pain, headaches, and facial pain
What Happens When You Lose Jaw Bone?
The jawbone has a functional as well as esthetic role. It allows you to speak and chew properly and structure your face. Loss of jaw bone distorts facial features, affects the ability to talk, eat, and laugh, and impacts the gum and remaining teeth. In addition, the outcomes of dental treatment are poor in people with jaw bone loss. For example, older men and women with jaw bone atrophy are more likely to have ill-fitting or loose dentures.
How is Jaw Bone Atrophy Diagnosed?
Dental problems symptomatic of low bone density include receding gums, loose teeth, and ill-fitting or loose dentures. Dentists use x-rays and cone beam imaging to evaluate jaw bone density and determine the type of treatment. The go-to treatment for jawbone degeneration is a dental bone graft. Sometimes, dental x-rays may be used as a screening tool for osteoporosis. In some cases, dentists identify low bone density before an orthopedic doctor or a rheumatologist because many people visit their dentist more regularly than other specialists. If you suspect jaw bone-related issues, click here to find cheap dental clinics at Bonita.
How does Osteoporosis Treatment Affect Oral Health?
Researchers are working on finding the relationship between osteoporosis, its treatment, and oral health. However, treatments to optimize skeletal bone may not always help improve dental health. For example, the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is linked to bisphosphonates, a group of medications to treat osteoporosis. The patients receiving large doses of intravenous bisphosphonates for cancer treatment are at a greater risk of ONJ. It should be noted that ONJ is rare in patients taking bisphosphonates orally for osteoporosis treatment.
How to Make Teeth and Bones Strong?
Follow these steps for healthy teeth and bones.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Women must go for regular health check-ups because hormonal changes make them prone to bone-related issues.
- Exercise daily; a mix of cardio and strength training is ideal.
- Limit alcohol intake and do not smoke.
- Be diligent about oral health care.
- Visit your dentist if you notice gum problems, loose teeth, tooth pain, etc.
- Be active everyday.
- Brush your teeth and gums regularly with soft bristle toothbrush.
- Don’t forget to do flossing.
- Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
- Dental health check up is must on regular basis.
- Rely on a balanced diet that includes a stream of nutrients especially calcium and Vitamin D.
Calcium is a mineral that people need to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. It is also very important for other physical functions, such as muscle control and blood circulation.
Calcium is not made in the body — it must be absorbed from the foods we eat. To effectively absorb calcium from food, our bodies need Vitamin D.
If we do not have enough calcium in our diets to keep our bodies functioning, calcium is removed from where it is stored in our bones. Over time, this causes our bones to grow weaker and may lead to osteoporosis, a disorder in which bones become very fragile.
Postmenopausal women are most vulnerable to osteoporosis. Although loss of estrogen is the primary reason for this, poor lifelong calcium and Vitamin D intake, as well as lack of exercise, play a role in the development of osteoporosis.
Note, that men also are at risk for osteoporosis — typically later in life than women — and it is important for them to keep track of calcium intakes, as well.(source: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/calcium-nutrition-and-bone-health/)
Given the interdependence of oral health and bone health, a holistic approach to optimize both is sensible.
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