Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, the bones in the body become weak and may break easier than normal. In fact, in extremely developed osteoporosis, people can break bones simply from sneezing or just bumping into a piece of furniture.
Osteoporosis can affect any person at any age, however, the vast majority of sufferers are women over the age of 50. It is a condition that is often difficult to detect until bone density has decreased to the point that a fracture occurs. However, there are some oral signs that indicate that osteoporosis is in its earliest stages that your dentist or oral specialist may be the first to notice.
Ill-fitting dentures are a large indicator of osteoporosis. Due to the loss of bone, the jawbone can become difficult to work with in creating dentures that function properly. It has been shown that post-menopausal women with osteoporosis require new dentures three times more often than those without the condition. Bone loss can be so significant during osteoporosis that it can become almost impossible to create functional dentures.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you can do some things to prevent the condition from getting worse. Adding these into your regular daily life may help:
- Quit smoking
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid alcohol
- Exercise
- Take a Vitamin D supplement
- Increase your calcium intake each day
At Georgia Denture & Implant Specialists, we care about our patients on a personal level. We are committed to creating the most customized and well-fitting dentures available. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, we are happy to work with your other dental specialists and create a solution that is just right for you. Call us today.
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