WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. An individual with osteoporosis is at a higher risk of fractures from minor falls or simple movements, including bending over or coughing. The fractures that often occur in those with osteoporosis typically happen in areas such as the hip, wrists, or spine. Because bone regenerates regularly, cells break down and form new cells in the bone. But if an individual has osteoporosis, this breakdown of bone tissue happens faster than regeneration. When patients with osteoporosis visit dentists like Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto at Gentle Dentistry in Tampa, Florida, they may find out that the condition significantly affects their oral health due to bone resorption and weak bone tissues.
STATISTICS AND FACTS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS
A total of 54 million US adults aged 50 and older are affected by osteoporosis.
- After age 50, half of the women will have a future fracture that is related to osteoporosis
- Asian and Caucasian females, specifically those who are post-menopausal, have the greatest risk
- Once you have a fracture, your chance of having another is much higher
HOW DOES OSTEOPOROSIS AFFECT YOUR TEETH AND MOUTH?
There have been several links between osteoporosis and oral health. Several studies show a significant relationship between bone loss and skeletal osteoporosis. Post-menopausal osteoporosis may result in dental osteopenia, which is the loss of bone density in the mandible and jaw. Osteoporosis is also associated with conditions such as severe alveolar crestal bone loss and periodontitis in post-menopausal women.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF OSTEOPOROSIS?
There are a few different signs of osteoporosis that you might notice. These include:
- Easily broken bones
- Stooped posture
- Height loss over time
- Back pain from a collapsed or fractured vertebra
HOW CAN YOU MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS?
- Consider hormone replacement therapy. Some hormones, such as estrogen, have been approved for the treatment or even prevention of osteoporosis
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D each day by eating a well-balanced diet
- Maintain a healthy body weight for your height and body frame
To schedule your consultation visit at Gentle Dentistry, contact Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto of Tampa, FL, by calling (813) 734-7102.
