Osteoporosis is a disease that mainly affects women over the age of 50. But it can happen to anyone no matter age or gender. Osteoporosis causes bone density to decrease, making breaks and whole-body concerns much more common. At my Alexandria dental office, we want to talk about how your oral health may be linked to osteoporosis.
Your Mouth & Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, and there are 34 million more who are at risk. As with many serious diseases, early detection is key. You may not even know there’s a problem until it’s too late. Sometimes signs aren’t obvious. So how do you get diagnosed if you’re not experiencing any symptoms? Your dentist!
In fact, your dentist may be the first member of your healthcare team to catch osteoporosis. When patients visit the dentist, the team is not just looking at their teeth, they also look at x-rays. These x-rays provide a wealth of information about what’s going on below the teeth, including bone density, and show us signs you or your medical doctor may not see or notice.
Signs & Symptoms
While we will be vigilant at your exams, here are some of the signs and symptoms we encourage our patients to watch for:
- Loose dentures
- Tooth loss
- Bone loss around the teeth or in the jaw
- Gum disease
Prevention
In addition to maintaining visits to your Alexandria dentist, there are other preventive actions you can take to decrease your chance of osteoporosis.
- Quit Smoking
- Consume caffeine limitedly
- Lower alcohol intake
- Get out and exercise
- Get enough vitamin D and calcium
If you’re experiencing any signs of osteoporosis, visit your doctor. Even if you’re not having difficulty currently, make sure to keep up with your regular visits to my dental office in Alexandria. We actively look for signs of potential osteoporosis and may be the first line of defense against the disease.
Accepting patients from Alexandria, Old Towne, Delray, and Potomac Yard.
