Bone-oral health guide

Learn how maintaining strong bones protects your gums, teeth, and overall oral health

- Dr. Karishma Vijan

When we talk about bone health, especially in women post-30, the spotlight is often on the hips, spine, and knees. But one of the most overlooked — and most telling — bones in the body is your jawbone. It’s not just a scaffold for your smile — it’s the silent guardian of your oral stability.

Hidden connection

Here’s a fact many don’t know: your teeth don't anchor directly to your gums — they anchor to bone. That bone, the alveolar bone, forms the jaw’s framework and holds your teeth in place. And just like your hip or spine, this bone is susceptible to osteoporosis — a condition where bones become porous and fragile.

As bone density decreases with age, menopause, or due to hormonal changes like in PCOS or early menopause, the jawbone can shrink, causing: