Relationship between bone mineral density and oral health: a cross sectional observational study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: PURPOSE: Bone mineral density (BMD) is related to oral health. This study investigated how changes in BMD influence tooth loss risk and dental caries prevalence. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 224 people (199 males and 25 females). The BMD scores of the participants' lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip were categorized as normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis. Oral health was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) scores. Based on the number of surviving teeth, the participants were categorized into low (< 20) and high (≥ 20) groups. Differences between groups were assessed using independent sample T tests and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups comprised 72, 87, and 65 participants, respectively. The OHI-S scores showed no notable variations across the groups. The DMFT index scores were highest (18.69) in the osteoporosis group and lowest (14.08) in the normal group (p < 0.001). Although the number of remaining teeth was lower in the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups compared to the normal group (p < 0.001), that in the osteopenia group approximated the normal group, but was substantially higher than in the osteoporosis group. The group with the lowest number of remaining teeth had lower total hip T-scores, despite significantly higher DMFT indexes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss and dental decay rates were significantly high in patients with osteoporosis. Although bone resorption during osteopenia is not excessive, it constitutes a crucial risk factor for dental health. Therefore, attention must be paid to bone resorption treatment in patients with osteopenia.
Source: BMC Oral Health
Authors: Rahime Zeynep Erdem, Mustafa Erdem, Mustafa Kıranatlı, Kevser Karakaya
Institution: Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W4407715689