General Dentist Information: How Osteoporosis Can Affect the Health of Your Teeth
A general dentist has a wealth of knowledge, not only about oral health but also about health issues that may affect or threaten oral health. Osteoporosis, for example, is a condition that weakens bones in the body. The health of our teeth depends on a variety of factors, including dental hygiene, hereditary tooth structure and even seemingly unrelated health problems throughout the body.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, weakening them and making them easily breakable. It is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. The body is constantly absorbing and replacing bone tissue, but with osteoporosis, the creation of new bone does not fully replace old bone. Unfortunately, the condition is widely undetectable until a fracture occurs.
Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
Women are twice as likely to develop osteoporosis, but only by a relatively small margin. The areas most affected by osteoporosis are the hip, spine and wrist, but any bone in the body can be affected. The condition mostly affects patients over the age of 40, but cases have been reported as young as 14. Even though this is a medical condition, a general dentist will have knowledge about the way it affects the teeth.
Osteoporosis and your teeth
Although osteoporosis does not affect the teeth directly, it can target the jawbone. Specifically, it affects the part of the jawbone that supports the teeth. When the jawbone is compromised, the sufferer may start to experience an increased frequency of dental issues.
Jawbone loss is likely to cause tooth loss and loosened teeth. Gum recession can occur as well. When the teeth are unsupported, they begin to loosen. The gum has less to hold onto, so it begins to recede due to disuse. As a result of this gum recession, the teeth can become more susceptible to decay and the gums more prone to gum disease. The vicious cycle continues until tooth loss occurs.
In addition to making an appointment with a general dentist to get to the root of these issues, there are ways to control and even prevent the progression of the condition.
How to avoid teeth issues associated with osteoporosis
Give your teeth the best fighting chance by first implementing a diligent oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing needs to be a top priority when you are diagnosed with osteoporosis if you want to avoid teeth problems. Regular professional dental cleanings will also help. Your general dentist will be able to work with you and come up with an action plan to treat teeth issues related to osteoporosis.
A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can lessen the effects of osteoporosis on dental health. Vitamin D also helps in preventing infections of the mouth tissue, like gum disease. For some women, estrogen may even be a valuable treatment for dental health problems associated with osteoporosis.
Let's get started …
Request an appointment here: http://www.riversdentistry.com or call Rivers Family Dentistry at (979) 710-2216 for an appointment in our Bryan office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Related Posts
Many patients prefer dental implants to other dental restorations. The stability and aesthetic improvement that the implants provide can enhance one’s bite and speech, as well as one’s chew and smile. Understanding why implants are popular can convince you to speak to your dentist about getting them. Here are the reasons for the popularity of…
Your family dentist can provide many good things to your dental health. Improving your dental health means enhancing your general health as well. Understanding how your dentist helps can make it easier to book your appointment. Here are some of the benefits of seeing a family dentist.Having a family dentist can make dental appointments easy…
Loose teeth can be caused by trauma to the mouth, tooth decay, or periodontal disease. The type of treatment a same day dentist can provide depends on the cause of the problem.Patients are advised to seek help for loose teeth within 12 to 24 hours of noticing the issue. The earlier treatment is provided, the…
Dental implants are a popular option for people missing one or more teeth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth, making them an enticing choice for adults needing tooth replacement. Though this option offers many benefits that other teeth replacement options do not, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Let us…