牙齿脱落和骨质疏松正影响很多老年人。龋齿(蛀牙)、牙周病、牙齿创伤、化疗及缺乏口腔卫生是直接导致牙齿脱落的主要成因。但牙周病亦会导致牙齿脱落。事实上,吸烟及糖尿病亦是其中主要因素。糖尿病亦能使牙周组织失去支持以致齿槽骨流失,从而加快牙齿脱落。年龄越大,机体制造维生素D的功能越差,肠道对钙的吸收能力也随之下降。骨质偏低(osteopenia)或骨 Teeth loss and osteoporosis are affecting many older people. Dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal disease, dental trauma, chemotherapy and lack of oral hygiene are the main causes of tooth loss. However, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. In fact, smoking and diabetes are also major factors. Diabetes can also lose support to periodontal tissue resulting in alveolar bone loss, thereby speeding tooth loss. The older, the body's role in the production of vitamin D, the worse the intestinal absorption of calcium also will decline. Osteopenia or bone