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Your Dental Health and Osteoporosis

Our awareness about osteoporosis has significantly expanded over the last decade. The advent of bisphosphonates such as Fosamax to treat this potential debilitating disease has improved the quality of life for many women.

In the dental world your dentist needs to no that you are taking bisphosphonates. Why? Serious side effects can result if you are taking these drugs and you need a tooth extracted.

Parish Sedghizadeh, assistant professor of clinical dentistry at the USC School of Dentistry headed a study which demonstrated that even short-term use of oral osteoporosis drugs may leave your jaw bone vulnerable.
He was quoted saying that “we’ve been told that the risk with oral bisphosphonates is negligible, but four percent is not negligible.”

Many doctors who have prescribed bisphosphonates may have not told patients about any oral health risks associated with the use of the drugs. Bisphosphonate use may make than oral infection more aggressive in adhering to the jaw according to Sedghizadeh.

It is very important to make your dentist aware that you are taking such drugs to treat your osteoporosis. Before any extractions are completed your physician can have a blood test performed to verify the amount of the drug is at a safe level.

If you have any further questions about the relationship between bisphosphonates and your dental health, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will arrange an appointment for you to help insure that you maintain the best dental health possible.

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