Menopause is hard on women’s teeth and gums, as well their bones. Osteoporosis affects over 50% of women over 50 and may be one reason that 32% of American women have lost teeth. A 1996 Harvard study of more than 40,000 post-menopausal women found that the use of estrogen lowered the loss of teeth. Estrogen therapy may not be advisable for women with cancer, high blood pressure and other medical problems.
Another report by the National Institute of Health and a more recent report by the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggested that early tooth loss in women may be an early sign of osteoporosis. A study of 329 post menopausal women have shown that women who began wearing dentures because of tooth loss before age 40 had more skeletal bone loss than women who required dentures after age 40 and those that kept most of their teeth. The study showed that the more teeth the women had lost, the less bone they had in their wrists, spine, and hips. These areas are most venerable to fractures. For this population, early diagnosis of osteoporosis and gum disease will not only prevent early tooth loss, but will prevent osteoporosis. Other bone preservers include diet, regular exercise as well as prescriptions drugs that build bone mass. Diet is as important in dental health as well as general health. A well balanced diet to include low fat diary products, fruits and vegetables will help give your bodies the calcium and phosphorus you need to help protect against osteoporosis and help strengthen your jaw bone to prevent tooth loss.
Women who choose estrogen therapy gain a dental benefit of improved condition of their gums and reduced bone and teeth loss.