What Causes Bone Loss in Teeth and How to Prevent It

8.14.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

Teeth aren’t just crucial for chewing and breaking down food for digestion. They’re also linked to every other aspect of oral health, too.

Unfortunately, as we age, we are at higher risk for problems: from cavities, infections, and even bone loss. Bone loss in particular can accelerate the deterioration of our oral health and lead to more serious issues requiring medical attention.

In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at bone loss in teeth, examining what causes it, how it affects our health, and what can be done to prevent it.

By the end of this page, you’ll have a much greater understanding of dental bone loss and the solutions that will help you keep your teeth healthy and strong for years to come.

Understanding Bone Loss in Teeth

Dental bone loss (also called “alveolar bone loss”) is a problem that can affect not only the teeth, but also the jawbone.

Effectively, the jawbone that is supporting your teeth deteriorates due to a number of causes (which we’ll explore below). The bone around your teeth shrinks or gets reabsorbed into the body.

The reduction in bone mass can lead to a number of symptoms:

• Shifting or loose teeth;
• A sunken appearance around your mouth or a change to your smile’s appearance;
• Jawline changes;
• Chewing difficulties due to tooth instability.

These symptoms indicate that something serious is likely going on with your teeth and jawbone. Over time, if left untreated, it may lead to tooth loss. You may wind up losing one or more teeth as the bones supporting them shrink.

How Dental Bone Loss Affects Oral Health

Dental bone loss doesn’t just affect your jawbone and teeth. It can also impact the gum tissue surrounding the teeth.

In periodontitis, gum and supporting tissues are damaged by inflammation, and bone loss can follow. The gum tissue may recede or pull away from the teeth (recession), causing further instability and speeding up the loss of teeth.

Important to note is that recession is a sign of the disease, periodontitis, not an effect of bone loss alone.

Due to the receding gums which eventually expose the root, loose and missing teeth, and dry mouth, you are at increased risk for tooth decay and gum infections, or may be prone to developing more tooth cavities.

Common Causes of Bone Loss in Your Teeth

Below, we’ll explore the most common reasons why dental bone loss occurs.

1. Periodontal Disease: The Leading Cause

The #1 cause of dental bone loss is periodontal disease, or periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the gum tissue around your teeth. Plaque bacteria trigger an immune response that damages the soft gum tissue and supporting bone. This causes damage that can lead to the gum recession, deep pockets, and loose teeth.

Weakened gum tissue can also lead to weakened teeth, especially if the bacterial infection spreads to the teeth and jawbone.

2. Tooth Loss: Impact on Surrounding Bone

When you lose an adult tooth, there are not more that will grow to replace it. What remains is an empty hole, a socket which will heal with bone and soft tissue. However, the ridge shrinks over time. You may get an implant or use dentures.

In many cases where people don’t choose to get an implant to help preserve the bone, the area heals over, but without a tooth the bone ridge shrinks from lack of stimulation. After a tooth is lost and the area heals, the higher risk of gum disease comes from plaque buildup and inflammation.

But that’s not the only downside of tooth loss. Chewing stimulates the teeth, gums, and jawbone, forcing the body to keep them strong in order to facilitate the first step in the digestive process. Without tooth roots, the jawbone loses mechanical stimulation and gradually weakens, causing accelerated deterioration over time.

3. Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis and Other Diseases

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone tissue is weakened, turns brittle, and bone density decreases. It’s a common condition that occurs among aging men and women, though most commonly women. Your body becomes less effective at producing new, healthy bone cells, leading to accelerated breakdown of your bones—espcialy the jawbone that supports teeth.

Other medical conditions that may slow bone regeneration or lead to a higher risk of dental bone loss include:

• Paget’s disease of bone, that causes abnormal bone remodeling and can involve the jaw, sometimes loosening teeth.
• Osteomylelitis, which is a bone infection (often bacterial) that occurs sometimes after surgery or injury.
• Tumors in your jawbone or mouth, which invade the jawbone and nearby tissues, sometimes loosening teeth, affecting support.
• Developmental deformities, certain congenital jaw/tooth disorders canaffect the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. The impact varies based on the condition.

These conditions can contribute, but the one most commonly responsible for dental bone loss is periodontitis.

4. Hormonal Changes: Menopause and Bone Density

One of the risk factors for periodontal disease and alveolar bone loss is hormonal changes. Women going through menopause, in particular, are at risk. Menopause is one of the primary risk factors behind osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis reduces jawbone density and can thin the jawbone, contributing to loose teeth. This can cause the teeth to shift and loosen and even potentially cause tooth loss that requires a bone graft to repair.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of Calcium and Vitamin D

Your body needs many micronutrients to produce healthy bone tissue, but the two most important are Vitamin D and calcium. Calcium is the primary mineral comprising bone tissue, and Vitamin D helps your body to absorb more dietary calcium.

Unfortunately, if you are deficient in either of these nutrients, your bones lack the components necessary to build new cells, causing poor mineralization. Inadequate calcium or vitamin D raises risk of osteoporosis.

6. Smoking and Its Effects on Bone Health

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do if you want healthy teeth and gums.

Smoking not only elevates your risk of oral cancer, but it also weakens your immune system and makes you more susceptible to bacterial infections. It is the top modifiable risk for gum disease and oral cancer. It also reduces circulation around your mouth (and the rest of your body), which slows down any healing or repair and makes periodontal treatment less successful.

According toa 2012 report from the CDC, smokers are four times more likely to have poor oral health than those who have never smoked. Even just smoking a cigarette or two per day can have serious repercussions for your oral health.

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Prevention Strategies for Bone Loss in Teeth

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect your teeth against bone loss. A few simple preventative measures can make a world of difference in the health of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and your mouth overall.

1. Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene Practices

Basic oral hygiene practices are crucial for keeping your mouth healthy and free of infections.

These practices include:

• Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush;
• Flossing at least once per day, preferably in the evening, to get rid of food between your teeth;
• Brushing your tongue to scrape off bacteria and food particles;
• Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once per day;
• Rinsing your mouth with water after every meal.

These daily practices help prevent gum disease and by controlling gum disease, they reduce the risk of bone loss. These practices will also keep your mouth clean and free of food particles and bacteria that can contribute to gum disease.

2. Regular Dental Check-Ups and Cleanings

Your mouth is one of the hardest-working parts of your body and thus is prone to deterioration and damage. Unfortunately, most of the time, you won’t notice issues until they become more serious—in the form of tooth pain, infections, bad breath, etc.

Regular dental checkups will help you catch any issues before they develop. Dentists will be able to spot weak spots in the teeth that might indicate cavities forming, or detect signs of bone loss or gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) in their early stages. They can offer advice to help you protect your teeth and prevent any deterioration.

Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, too. It’s recommended at least once every six months for the average person, but more frequently for those who are prone to oral health problems like cavities or gum disease.

3. Eating a Bone-Healthy Diet

A bone-healthy diet that supports your teeth should include a lot of foods that are rich in calcium, including:

• Dairy and fortified soy products;
• Dark, leafy greens like collard greens, kale, and bok choy;
• Tofu;
• Tahini;
• Fortified orange and grapefruit juice;
• Fortified almond, oat, or rice milk.

These foods will provide calcium to repair damage to your teeth and underlying jawbone.

Other minerals that support healthy bone growth are magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin K. You can get a lot of these minerals also from dark, leafy greens, as well as whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Finally, try to get more Vitamin D in your diet. While the best source of Vitamin D synthesis is direct exposure to sunlight (for 30 minutes per day, though needs vary widely), there are many climates where that’s not an option (heavy rainfall, extreme cold temperatures, minimal sunlight, etc.).

Vitamin D sources include fatty fish, UV-treated mushrooms, and fortified plant based milk and cereals., These foods can help provide your body with the micronutrient necessary to facilitate calcium absorption and utilization. They are not a replacement for exposure to sunlight.

4. Quitting Smoking: Benefits for Oral and Bone Health

As you saw above, smoking drastically increases your risk of oral health problems. Those with the healthiest teeth are those who have never smoked. However, even if you’re currently smoking, you can drastically improve your oral health by quitting.

That’s always easier said than done, but it’s worth the effort. Quitting smoking will improve your gum health, restore your immune defenses, enhance circulation to your gums and teeth, and reduce your risk of oral cancer.

5. Discussing Hormonal Health with Your Doctor

Hormones play a significant role in the health of your bones and oral tissues that support your teeth (gums and jawbone).

 As they change (due to age or health problems), you may notice any number of symptoms, including:

• Irregular or heavy periods;
• Hormonal acne;
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain;
• Digestive issues (constipation or diarrhea);
• Depression and/or anxiety;
• Skin or hair issues (dryness, coarseness, etc.);
• Hair loss;
• Hot flashes;
• Vaginal dryness.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms (some or all), it’s worth talking to your doctor about whether they could be caused by hormonal changes. These symptoms may just be the beginning, and other issues—including dental bone loss—may arise.

Please talk to your doctor so they can help you safely address and manage these health concerns.

Wrapping Up

While some health problems are a common side effect of aging, not all have to be. Some, including dental bone loss, can be managed or even prevented with proper care.

Be aware of any risk factors that may contribute to the loss of your healthy teeth and jawbone and put into action the prevention strategies we shared above. Small changes to your daily routine can have massive positive repercussions for your long-term health!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is dental bone loss permanent?

Dental bone loss is not always permanent. Treating gum disease, and in select cases, periodontal bone-regeneration procedures can rebuild some support. Implants can help prevent further jawbone loss where teeth are missing.

How fast does bone loss in teeth progress?

The rate of progression varies from person to person. After a tooth is removed, most ridge loss happens within 3-6 months, with slower changes occurring thereafter. Other diseases (like tumors or osteoporosis) can accelerate the deterioration, while improving oral health and addressing underlying gum disease helps. See a specialist if you have signs or symptoms so they can prevent further damage.

Does chewing gum increase bone density?

Chewing gum does stimulate the jawbone, however, the stimulation is not enough to increase bone density significantly. That said, implants can help preserve bone after tooth loss and if you have any TMJ symptoms, avoid chewing gum.

Sources

Periodontitis

What Is Dental Bone Loss and Can It Be Reversed?

Periodontitis

How to Regrow Bone Around Teeth Naturally

Paget’s disease of bone

Osteomyelitis

Oral Hygiene

Food Sources of Calcium

Hormonal Imbalance

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