Did you know osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans, and nearly 80% of those affected are women?
Osteoporosis is especially common after menopause, with about 1 in 3 women over 50 experiencing an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
Ok, so what does the health of your bones have to do with your dentist? Quite a bit, actually. Your friendly North Seattle dentist might spot signs of osteoporosis before your doctor does! How so? Because osteoporosis can actually show up in your mouth first.
Staying on top of your routine dental exams and paying attention to what’s happening with your teeth and gums could also help monitor the health of your bones.
What’s Osteoporosis, Anyway?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition where the bones become weaker and more brittle over time from a loss of density, typically connected to hormonal changes, or a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D .
This loss of bone density can lead to an increase of fractures, such as to the hip, wrist, or spine. This year an estimated 300,000 hip fractures will occur in the US due to osteoporosis.
Clues from Your Mouth About Your Bone Health
Most people think of their dentist as someone who only looks after their teeth and gums—but your dentist may also be the first to spot early signs of osteoporosis, especially if you’re over 50 or at risk – you have a family history, or have certain medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease.
During your routine checkups, our dentists might notice:
- Teeth that feel loose or start shifting around
- Receding Gums (Without Obvious Gum Disease)
- Dentures that just don’t fit right anymore
- X-rays that Reveal Bone Density Loss – Panoramic dental X-rays (the big, wide-mouth pictures) can actually double as a handy osteoporosis screening tool.
While these signs don’t confirm osteoporosis, they can be early red flags, especially for postmenopausal women, or others with known risk factors. In fact, studies show that certain dental X-rays can reveal patterns of bone thinning in the jaw that often correlate with overall bone loss in the body.
If something looks suspicious, we can recommend a follow-up with your physician for a bone density scan (DEXA). Besides keeping your teeth and gums healthy, we also might be able help you catch and manage osteoporosis before a fracture ever happens.
What You Can Do Now
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D – your bones will thank you.
- Stay active and include weight resistant exercises.
- Don’t smoke or drink too much alcohol.
- Brush and floss every day to keep your gums healthy. (Have we said this before?)
- Visit your dentist regularly, don’t skip routine visits, and mention any changes you notice.
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body
Your mouth, and its shiny smile, are truly a window into your overall health. If you notice any little changes in your teeth, such as shifting or feeling loose, or you start experiencing more tooth sensitivity, please don’t ignore these – let us know. We just might catch the first signs of osteoporosis and help you get ahead of it before it causes bigger problems. Catching signs early can help protect your bones—and keep you smiling for years to come.
Noticed changes in your teeth or gums lately? It might be more than just getting older. If you’re over 50, your oral health could be offering early clues about bone loss. Your dental checkups aren’t just for your smile — they can help spot signs of osteoporosis, too.
Give us a call at (206) 524-1000 to schedule your next appointment, or reach out to us online.