Impact of osteoporosis on oral health

Abstract

Oral diseases and osteoporosis are common conditions. A bone disease called osteoporosis arises when bone mass and mineral density decline, or when the composition or quality of bone varies. This may result in a weakening of the bones, raising the possibility of fractures. As various oral diseases, particularly periodontal disease, which affects almost half of the adult population, similarly osteoporosis also affects half of the elderly population, specially above 60 years of age. As the population ages, the rise in the number of patients with osteoporosis may increase. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder with compromised bone density and strength that leads to increased risk of bone fracture; whereas periodontitis is considered a local infection with a host immune-inflammatory response within the supporting periodontal tissues of the teeth that results in alveolar bone loss. Bone tissue is continuously absorbed by and replaced by the body. In osteoporosis the loss of old bone is not in pace with the formation of newer bone. Medications along with a proper balanced diet and weight-bearing exercises are all part of the treatment to help strengthen already weak bones or stop bone loss. This review enlightens the possible risk factors, current evidence, pathophysiology and measures that can be taken to prevent osteoporosis based on various researches.