Several risk indicators for tooth loss have been identified. Recent studies suggest that tooth loss may be associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association of postmenopausal women with tooth loss was investigated in this cross-sectional study.
Method:
One hundred eight subjects were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire and clinically examined. Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was assessed at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur. No women had other bone diseases, such as cancer and bone metastases; no one was taking any medication that affect bone metabolism (exception oestrogen) and no one had femur or vertebral osteoporotic fractures.
Result:
The mean of tooth loss of the total sample was 10.25. According to the WHO criteria, the women classified with T-score osteoporosis at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femur were 48 (26.67%), 40 (22.22%) and 21 (11.67%), respectively. The bivariate analysis there were significant correlations between tooth loss and age, family income, educational level, dental care, tooth floss and osteoporosis on total femur (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis using lumbar spine as independent variable it was found a significant association between tooth loss and age of beginning of smoke of 16-20 years even when it was adjusted by age, educational level, income, years of menopause and hormone therapy, but no significant association was found for 21 years and more. No was significant association between tooth loss for femoral neck, but when total femur was independent variable it was found significantly association between tooth loss and dental care and use tooth floss even when it was adjusted by age, educational level, income, years of menopause and hormone therapy.
Conclusion:
We have established a significant association between osteoporosis of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and tooth loss.