By :- Team VOH
16 Jun 2024
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining overall health by filtering waste from the blood. When they fail to function properly, it can lead to severe and potentially fatal medical conditions. A recent study suggests a connection between tooth loss and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in postmenopausal women.
Published online in *Menopause*, the journal of The Menopause Society, the study highlights how kidney function, measured by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), declines after menopause. This decline is linked to lower levels of reproductive hormones. These hormonal changes during menopause often lead to abdominal obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of tooth loss and is a separate risk factor for CKD.
Kidney disease has numerous consequences, including increased risks to bone and cardiovascular health. Tooth loss, reflecting oral health status, is also linked to systemic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and osteoporosis, and independently increases the risk of stroke. Excessive tooth loss can impair chewing and speech.
While previous studies have noted a connection between kidney function and tooth count, this new study involving nearly 65,000 participants is the first to evaluate the association between CKD and tooth loss in postmenopausal women of varying ages. It found that GFR, a measure of kidney function, is significantly associated with having at least 20 of the 28 adult teeth. This suggests a significant relationship between CKD and tooth loss, particularly in postmenopausal women aged 66 to 79 years.
The findings underscore the importance of preventing and managing mineral and bone metabolism disorders in postmenopausal women with CKD to prevent tooth loss. Addressing kidney disease progression is crucial, as it affects multiple body systems beyond oral health.
The study results are detailed in the article "Chronic kidney disease in postmenopausal women is associated with tooth loss."
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasized the broader implications: "This study highlights the known link between chronic kidney disease and bone metabolism. Increased attention to oral and bone health is warranted in postmenopausal women with chronic kidney disease, in addition to meticulous efforts to preserve kidney function. Conversely, oral health is a window to overall health and good oral hygiene is important for women of all ages."
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