Bone Health and Oral Health: What's the Connection?
Posted by Tanner Jessel on Tue, Aug 19, 2008 @ 12:06 AM
Life expectancy for Americans has steadily increased in the past 100 years from an average of just shy of 50 years to an average of 72 years. Numbers from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics show Americans are living longer lives than ever. With seniors enjoying retirement well into their 70s, more people are suffering from health problems like osteoporosis common among people aged 55 years or more. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, 10 million people have this disease that weakens bones, placing older Americans at risk of breaking a bone. In addition, 34 million have low bone mass, meaning they are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
While you may not think of it when you brush your teeth, your teeth are actually the visible part of your skeleton. Of course most people don't think of skeletons when someone flashes a smile, but it's true. In addition, your teeth rest in your jawbone, which like any other bone in the body is vulnerable to the weakening effect of osteoporosis. A weak jawbone can contribute to tooth loss. The risk increases threefold for women, according to the National Institutes of Health, which reports women with osteoporosis three times more likely to lose teeth than women without the bone disease. In addition to tooth loss, other problems associated with low bone density include loose teeth and loosely fitting dentures.
What you may not realize is that the your dentist can play a key role in not only treating but preventing problems resulting from low bone density and osteoporosis. That's because your dentist can detect differences in bone density when you have a dental X Ray done during your routine check up.
This type of preventative care can save much trouble down the road, sparing the need for more costly dental procedures. For example, the average cost for dental cleaning and exam in Massachusetts is $93. With the Universal Dental Plan , your initial oral evaluation, along with perioric exams, is free. A bitewing X Ray, which can detect problems before they become more complicated and expensive to fix, costs and average of $45. As a member of the universal dental plan, your fee is only $22.00, saving you $23. You'll enjoy savings of 20% to 50% on all dental procedures with special negotiated rates.
For older Americans who are no longer covered by an insurance plan after retirement, the Universal Dental Plan is a smart choice for maintaining both oral health and overall health. Your dentist can evaluate your overall health during your regular cleanings, giving you peace of mind about preventing serious health problems like osteoporosis before they start or when they can be treated more easily.