Does Osteoporosis Make You Lose Teeth?What Studies Show
Breath & MouthArticleTeeth sit in jawbone, so it's natural to wonder whether bone thinning after menopause loosens them. In a 5-year Japanese study of 404 women, those whose bone density fell fastest lost more teeth. But in 1,365 women aged 45 to 59, tooth count didn't track with bone density at all. A US study of 42,171 women linked current hormone therapy with 24% lower risk of tooth loss. Here is what it means.
In this article
Your teeth are anchored in jawbone, and bone thins after menopause. So does osteoporosis loosen teeth? The studies don’t all agree.
Faster bone loss, more lost teeth
A Japanese study measured bone density in 404 women after menopause, then again five years later, and counted their teeth.1
- Women whose bone density fell the most lost more teeth, even after accounting for other factors.1
- At the spine, the fastest-losing third lost about 38% more teeth than the slowest-losing third.1
No link in younger postmenopausal women
A study of 1,365 women aged 45 to 59 found no link between how many teeth they had and their bone density, at any site.2 The authors suggested that, earlier on, tooth count reflects diet and past dental work more than bone loss.2 They concluded tooth count can’t be used to spot osteoporosis.2
Hormone therapy and tooth loss
A US study of 42,171 women after menopause found:3
- Women currently taking hormone therapy had a 24% lower risk of tooth loss.3
- Women who had stopped had little benefit.3
It was observational, so hormone users may differ in other ways, such as dental care. The authors said hormone therapy may reduce tooth loss.3
Putting it together
Bone loss may play a part in tooth loss, especially as it speeds up,1 but diet and past dental work matter too.2 Losing teeth isn’t a sign you have osteoporosis.2
What this means for you
- Look after your gums; see why gums bleed.
- Tell your dentist about osteoporosis and any bone medicines; see bone drugs and dental work.
- Don’t use tooth count to guess your bone health; ask about a bone density scan if you have risk factors.2
See also hormones and your gums.
Try: “I have osteoporosis and two of my teeth feel loose. Is that related, and is my bone medicine safe for any dental work I need?”
Is It My Breath? covers hormones and the mouth in Chapter 6, “Gums, Floss and Hormones,” in a section called “A Lifetime of Hormones.” Its Breath Log keeps one line a day on dryness, taste and what you tried, so your dentist sees the pattern. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. See a dentist for loose teeth, bleeding or receding gums, or changes in your bite. If you take or are starting bone medicines, tell your dentist before extractions or implants. Hormone therapy isn't prescribed to prevent tooth loss. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism (abstract via PubMed), 2012Change in bone mineral density and tooth loss in Japanese community-dwelling postmenopausal women: a 5-year cohort study (opens in a new tab)abcd
- International Journal of Epidemiology (abstract via PubMed), 1998Tooth counts do not predict bone mineral density in early postmenopausal Caucasian women. EPIC study group (opens in a new tab)abcdef
- Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (abstract via PubMed), 1998Tooth loss and hormone use in postmenopausal women (opens in a new tab)abcd
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it.
