Low Bone Mineral Density Is Associated with Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Women: A Nationwide Representative Study in Korea.

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis and tooth loss are major health problems in postmenopausal women in a fast-aging country. In this study, we investigated the relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and edentulism.

METHODS

Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012. BMD was measured, and a dental examination was performed on the 2,129 postmenopausal (50-80 years) female participants. Multivariate logistic regression through complex sampling was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with loss of at least eight teeth.

RESULTS

The average number of missing teeth was significantly lower in women with a normal BMD than in those with osteopenia and osteoporosis (4.5 ± 0.4 vs. 6.7 ± 0.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.5; p < 0.001). Women with abnormal BMD of the femoral neck were at higher risk of losing eight or more teeth than women with a normal BMD in the femoral neck (OR, 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.88-2.99). Women with osteoporosis in the lumbar spine were also at a higher risk of losing eight or more teeth [OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.52-2.36] than were women with a normal BMD in the lumbar spine.

CONCLUSIONS

Excessive edentulism might be associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women. Regular dental examination is recommended for the postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis to prevent tooth loss.