What is Osteoporosis?
“Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones to the
point where they break easily” (NIA, 2017, para. 1). It develops when the bone
mineral density and mass decrease which leads to decreased strength and
increased brittleness (NIH, 2019).
How Does it Relate to Oral Health?
The decreased bone density can occur in the jaw and results
in alveolar bone resorption (Kane, 2017). This resorption then leads to larger
periodontal pockets, providing a place for bacteria to invade (Kane, 2017).
This then initiates the chain reaction of bone loss with chronic infection. The
relationship between osteoporosis is not a causal one, but can lead to a higher
risk of developing periodontal disease or exacerbation of the disease if
already present.
Osteoporosis is commonly treated with the use of
bisphosphonates but this group of medications have been linked with osteonecrosis
of the jaw (NIH, 2018). Research has found the greatest risk to be from IV
administration for cancer treatment, but the risk is still present for oral
administration like in osteoporosis (NIH, 2018).
How to Prevent?
Eating foods that are rich with calcium and vitamin D can
help reduce the risk of weakened bones (NIA, 2017). Performing regular exercise
that requires bearing weight will also help build muscle mass and balance,
decreasing the risk of falling and causing bone fractures (NIH, 2017). Smoking
should be avoided because nicotine has been shown to cause changes in
osteoblasts (bone builders) that result in cell death (Maalouf, 2021). Ensure alcohol use is minimal because it
interferes with the calcium and vitamin D balance (NIH, Nov 2018).
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and frequent dental
hygiene therapies will help maintain a low bacteria load, reducing the risk of
initiating or exacerbating periodontal disease in a client with osteoporosis. When
clients come to the dental office, radiographs are typically taken to evaluate
for carious lesions, but it can be the first step to osteoporosis detection
(NIH, 2018). Dental professionals see these clients more frequently so can
recognize the change in the bone between radiographs early and direct them to their
doctor for more testing.
Kane S. (2017). The effects of oral health on systemic
health. General dentistry, 65(6), 30–34. https://www.agd.org/docs/default-source/self-instruction-(gendent)/gendent_nd17_aafp_kane.pdf
Maalouf, T. (2021). Smoking and osteoporosis: How smoking
affects bone health. Very Well Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/smoking-and-osteoporosis-5201866
NIA-National Institute on Aging. (2017). Osteporosis. U.S.
Department of Health & Human services. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoporosis#:~:text=Osteoporosis%20is%20a%20disease%20that,losing%20strength%20for%20many%20years.
NIH. (Nov, 2018). What people recovering from alcoholism
need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/conditions-behaviors/alcoholism#:~:text=The%20link%20between%20alcohol%20and%20osteoporosis,-Alcohol%20negatively%20affects&text=To%20begin%20with%2C%20excessive%20alcohol,vitamin%20essential%20for%20calcium%20absorption.
NIH. (2018). Oral health and bone disease. National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/oral-health/oral-health-and-bone-disease
NIH. (Oct, 2019). Osteoporosis overview. National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/overview
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