Osteoporosis is a common problem in Singapore and Asia. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, cases of hip fractures have increased 5 times in women aged 50 and above, and 1.5 times in men of the same age group in the last 30 years in Singapore. It is also projected that more than about 50% of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia by the year 2050.
Osteoporosis and Oral Health
In one of our previous blog post, we shared that your dentist may be the first to identify the first stages of osteoporosis as it has a direct connection with one’s overall dental health. Some of the signs include gum disease and loss of teeth.
Do you know that women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have the disease?
Solutions for Missing Teeth
Fret not, because there are options to replace missing teeth such as dental implants, dentures and bridges. (View our infographic on missing teeth here.)
So how do you decide which option is the best for you? A study done among 237 osteoporotic women showed that those with dental implants had a better quality of life. This group of women had higher levels of life satisfaction, especially in the emotional and sexual aspects. They are followed by women with fixed partial dentures, removable dentures (false teeth) and, finally, women with no restoration work done.
Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss
Dental implants also prevent bone loss in the jaw bone. Osteoporosis is not confined to just the hip, wrist or spine. It affects all bones in the body.
Jaw bone loss happens most rapidly during the first year of tooth loss.
Dental implants replace missing teeth and are anchored into the jawbone. This prevents the bone from shrinking (resorption).
Yesterday (20 October 2015) marks the 17th World Osteoporosis Day, which is dedicated to raise global awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
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