Hormonal Replacement May Decrease Advancement of Periodontal Disease
In the U.S. , studies show that approximately 50% of Americans older than
55 years old have advanced periodontal disease. Studies over the years
have presumed that deficiency in estrogen and osteoporosis can increase
the speed of bone loss in the mouth following menopause, with loss of
supporting bone around the teeth and eventual early tooth loss.
New studies, recently released in the Journal of Periodontology, have
concluded that supplementation with estrogen may in fact lower the inflammation
in the gums and the eventual destruction of fibers and bone that support
the teeth in women that show signs of osteoporosis.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Richard Reinhart, professor at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry, states that this may
be one more reason for estrogen replacement therapy in women at risk of
osteoporosis.
Over the years, estrogen has been successfully used to help decrease
the common symptoms found with menopause such as hot flashes and irritability. With the almost 25 million women in the US who suffer bone loss due to
osteoporosis, this research may aid and benefit in saving teeth.
Women interested in this new research must consider the risks and should
speak with their physician and periodontist to evaluate if they are candidates
for estrogen supplementation therapy.
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