Do you take good care of your teeth? Your answer may indicate how vulnerable you may be to osteoporosis according to new research that is demonstrating a clear relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease.

We know that osteoporosis shows no signs; it is one of the major problems with the disease in that you may not know you have it until you fracture a bone. As it has been estimated that one in three postmenopausal women over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis then any early warning system is to be welcomed. Professor Robin Seymour an independent periodontologist from the Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel (ShARP) commented:

“This new research is the result of two large scale National Health Studies. Data from both studies confirmed a clear association between osteoporosis and periodontitis and concluded that women with a history of periodontitis (or osteoporosis) experience accelerated bone and tooth loss, which is bad news. These latest data findings supports previous results including research involving 49 patients with osteoporosis which showed periodontal status declining significantly over a 2-year period.

It is clear from the research that decreased bone mineral density gives rise to more rapid resorption of all the bones in the body including the jaw. It has been seen that patients suffering from osteoporosis have fewer teeth and that periodontal disease or gum disease also affects the tissues that support the teeth.

Tooth disease and stroke risk

However, the bad news is that periodontitis is not just limited to lost and bleeding gums and an indicator of possible bone loss. Studies continue to demonstrate an association between peridontitis, stroke and cardiovascular disease.^] New research is showing that gum inflammation might cause inflammatory effects elsewhere in the body, including the arteries.

Nor does it get better as researchers also think bacteria in periodontal pockets around the teeth could go on to circulate around the vascular system, where they play a part in the build-up of plaque in arteries.

Action Plan

As there is now a clear link between periodontitis, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease and stroke. The first priority – particularly for those who already suffer from osteoporosis – is to make sure you have regular 6-monthly dental inspections, and in particular need to have a thorough inspection of their periodontal tissues. There is an increased risk that osteoporosis can cause on all teeth and their supporting structures, leading to tooth loss if untreated.

Maintaining strong, healthy bones is something that will benefit everyone so a good diet, weight bearing exercise all play their part but if you want to increase bone density then supplementing with bioidentical natural progesterone is the best way to do that.