I’ve heard that x-rays of my teeth can be an indicator for osteoporosis. Is that true?
It is important to keep up with your oral health check-ups throughout your entire life. When you go to the dentist, you may find out more than the condition of your teeth and gums—you may find out that you should be tested for osteoporosis.
Although osteoporosis cannot be diagnosed from conventional bite-wing dental x-rays, periodontal (gum, tissues, and bone sup-porting teeth) disease can suggest that you have osteoporosis. Loss of teeth and bone loss in your jawbone can also indicate that you may have osteoporosis. Bone loss, depending on its extent, is sometimes visible on oral panoramic x-rays.
If you already have osteoporosis, your gum disease may become more severe. It is not clear yet whether low bone mass causes more rapid gum loss or if the inflammation of the gum tissue leads to more loss of bone density. Either way, if you have periodontal disease, you should discuss BMD testing with your clinician.
As your gums become inflamed and recede, you may lose teeth. Tooth loss is definitely a predictor of osteoporosis. If an x-ray (usually a panoramic x-ray) of your jawbone shows bone loss, you are likely to have loss of bone mass in other bones as well. Calcium and vitamin D intake is important not just for your bones but also for your teeth.
So if you are not getting enough of either one, you are not only at risk for osteoporosis but also for tooth loss. If you have poor oral health, this does not mean that you definitely have weak bones. And on the other hand, if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, it does not mean that you have bad teeth and gums. Because osteoporosis is such a silent disease initially, it is important to consider every clue that you might have it.
So, go to your dental professional twice a year for a cleaning and evaluation—your oral health can offer clues that might prompt a discussion with your primary care clinician about osteoporosis. And if you are contemplating tooth implants, it is critical to inform your dental professional if you have osteoporosis because tooth implants must be rooted in strong bone.