Part 1: Understanding Osteoporosis

Yes, the correct answer is "anticonvulsants."

Excessive doses of anticonvulsants or antiseizure drugs, reduce the availability of vitamin D, a necessary nutrient, to efficiently absorb calcium.

Other medications can decrease bone density and include:

excessive thyroid hormone
diuretics other than thiazide - these increase urinary calcium output
aluminum-containing antacids - these also increase urinary calcium output
gonadotrophin-releasing analogs used to treat endometriosis, along with certain cancer treatments - these reduce a body's estrogen levels

It is important for a person taking these types of medications, including your dental patients, to discuss the use of these drugs with their physician and not to stop or alter their medication dosage on their own. A consultation will determine whether an alternate medication is available which will not contribute to bone loss, or if a reduced dose is acceptable. Additionally, their bone density should be closely monitored while they're receivng treatment.

Another consideration are certain health conditions which put a person at higher risk for developing osteoporosis. They include:

rheumatoid arthritis - this disease causes extra osteoclast activity resulting in bone loss
diseases of the thyroid - this can stimulate the bone-dissolving action of osteoclasts
poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
lactose intolerance - this will lead to decreased consumption of calcium-rich products
chronic digestive disorders - these can make it harder for the body to absorb calcium
disorders of the parathyroid gland - this can increase osteoclast activity