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.
Keywords: bone loss; dental care; edentulism; postmenopause; women's health.