Post OP Dental Care

I want to take this time to remind you . While we concentrate so hard on our Vitamins, Protein .. Exersise .. etc .. we should also think about our Teeth . I just spent the day at the Dentist Office . I chose this dentist because he was very familiar with Gastric Bypass Patients , Buliemics and other Gastro type Patients . I asked about him prior to the visit last year and was amazed at how knowelegable he was . Any hoo.. since my surgery my teeth have gone bad . He contributes a lot of it to the vomiting I did early out . While there is not much acid - there is bacteria . While I do brush my teeth , he says that the vomiting weakened my teeth . He also says that with age , our teeth begin to weaken . And while I try to chew and chew ,. this seems to have taken a toll on my pearly whites . He will be prescribing for me a special tooth paste that has extra floride . Monday , I will go under general anethesia to have 2 teeth removed that have broken off and are giving me a fit . I will be meeting with him afterwards to discuss further care and treatment of the teeth after surgery . He is very knowelegable and I think he has a lot he can share with me . So if you are having issues with your teeth .. get to a dentist .. as we know we all need our teeth .. Hugs, Natalie

Thanks for the reminder, Nat! Good luck with your dental work. Also, a general reminder that since we have become a bottled water drinking society - we don't get the fluoride of our youth. There is a bottled fluoride rinse out there - think the name is Act. You should swi**** around after brushing before bed. It can help your teeth get the fluoride they need. Kathy

You know Tink I really want to Thank you for reminding us about this. Honestly I think I thought about this once before and that was about it. I figured that just because I brush after the vomiting ever that I would be fine. I will be sure to get some flouride swish now. You are a doll! What would we all do w/o you?! Sorry to hear you have lost two teeth but glad to hear that you are getting them taken care of and are getting educated at the same time by seeing this dentist. Good luck in the extractions. Hugs! Shele

I did not think about tha****er ... I never drink tap water anymore .. I am going to go out and get some of the ACT .. I remember seeing that at Walmart .. Thanks Kathy !

Natalie, That is a good point you made. I remember over the last few years while I was considering having this surgery noticing the gastric bypass patients that would come in the ER. Now I know there are MORE of the patients that did not come into the ER...but two regulars had rotted out teeth from all the vomiting and lack of nutrition. Like your denist said, that could happen with bumemia also...but these two I will never forget. I will make sure I floss tonight..Thank you !!!! Big Hugs, Good luck with your dental work !!!! Dana

Hey Sweet Tink....You are so great...you are always there for us and we love you. I don't know where I would be without all your knowledge and I do appreciate your sharing it with us. I love ya, gf. Hugs, Betsy

Nat.... Thanks for the info. Now my teeth hurt. Jill

Good reminder, Nat! I had been noticing that mine (teeth) had not 'lasted' as long since the last 6 month cleaning. I am actually going to take Cody's next appt. since she can't afford hers, having just started a new job (AND no insurance). It appears to me my gums have receded some and that I have more staining from the tea I drink everyday. I am eager to hear what she advises. Thank you for the info about the regurgitation. I have only a half a dozen times, and have always taken care of my teeth, but I would never have thought about the bacteria angle. I would imagine that our ketosis would also influence the amount and type of bacteria in our mouths as well. Glad I will be going next week. Am also considering getting a consult with our family beautician (former student of mine) to talk with her about my hair loss and options. If my hair continues to fall out at its current rate I will have to have it cut. This might cause me to plunge in to mental illness! Yes, I speak in jest. But still--long hair age age 15 until now (55). That will be like changing my skin or eye color, or making me much taller or shorter!---almost. I realize we almost all go through this and that I knew this prior to surgery. AND--this is the only down side to my experience, so far . It will take me a while to form a new mental picture of my hair. I also want to get some ideas for a shortER (emphasis on -ER) style. I'll stop whining now. Sorry I made this such a long response about ME. Guess I just needed to say all this now. Thanks again, Nat. You got several things clicking in my head. Lois

Lois , I really never thought about the Ketosis ... but I still go thru that sometimes when I back off the carbs for a while . Hmmm .. I am going to mention that to him as well . I know how you feel about the hair . I LOVED my long hair prior to surgery but as it got thinner I had to cut it . I am glad I did now . At 2 years out .. it is back thicker then it ever was ... and I have been brought out of the 80's my kids tell me .. I do not think I could let it grow back out now that I have had it styled . Keep me posted on what you decide ... I am sure what ever you choose it will be awesome ... Hugs, Nat

Nat, Thanks for this post. I discussed this with my dentist at my last visit in Feb. because I was so sick for so long. They said everything looked good and did xrays, but they are not as skilled with post op's as I would like. I do love this dentist and have been going there for about 9 years. If you don't mind saying, who did you see? I am due to go back in August and I may see someone else...just to make sure my teeth are fine. Tammy