Tooth Loss?

I've heard about the hair loss, but does anyone get teeth loosening or actually falling out despite 1000 mg calcium supplements daily? I haven't had dental issues yet but just wanted to know what to expect. Thanks.

I'm 4 years out and haven't had a problem with my teeth.

The ASMBS recommends 1200-1500 mg daily. But, no, I haven't had any dental issues.

My support group went over dental risks of bariatric surgery last month. There wasn't any mention of teeth falling out that I remember but we do have to be extra careful about dental hygiene and work to keep our mouths moist, because I guess the risk of cavities goes up after bariatric surgery.

Wow! Now I'm scared. I didn't know VSG patients had to worry so much about things like this because we don't get malabsorption. Dental issues were not mentioned preop or postop.

This article from the National Institutes of Health discusses post-bariatric surgery dental issues. Seems that it mostly affects those that experience GERD. It also mentions some heightened sensitivity. I'm thinking that, unless you are experiencing GERD or vomiting a lot, you shouldn't have any real problems.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5467377/

I also read some other articles about mineral deficiencies causing some issues with teeth, but they were attributed to malabsorbative surgeries like bypass and DS, and from people not taking their vitamins and supplements as directed.

As for my guidelines, I was instructed to take a minimum of 1500mg calcium citrate daily, including 1500 UI of Vitamin D3. I take mine religiously!

I freaked out a lot about dental issues before I had surgery (I had RNY), but I came to the conclusion after doing a lot of reading and hanging out on this board and others that although it happens, it's not all that common.

I talked to my dentist about it. He said he's never seen that issue with his WLS patients (although I have no idea how many he has - it could be five, for all I know...), but he suspects it has more to do with acid than deficiencies (of course, WLS patients need to keep up with their supplements as well!). He now does a fluoride varnish on my teeth twice a year, and I use a prescription high-fluoride toothpaste just before I go to bed. He said that would go a long way toward preventing such problems.

This sort of dovetails what the above poster said about it mostly likely being related to GERD and vomiting - that makes total sense. Another reason to be diligent about managing GERD if you have it...

Thanks. I've never had serious dental issues. I have all of my own teeth so far and never any cavities - at least before the VSG. Who knows now. I only have one filling due to a chip in one of my back teeth that many people usually have removed electively. Ironically I got the chip while eating fruitcake where there was some pecan shell. I was upset for quite a while about that. I know that makes me very shallow with all of life's other potential problems, but I'm going to make an appointment as soon as possible for dental x-rays. Thankfully I don't have GERD and haven't vomited yet, but I'm definitely going to ask about the fluoride varnish and for a prescription for the high fluoride toothpaste. We hear things about getting too much fluoride, but I certainly don't want to lose my teeth just to lose weight. I can't believe I was never informed about this very important risk. They warned all over the place about hair loss which is for the most part reversible, but never one word about tooth loss which is permanent. I guess they figure if we lose our teeth that will help slow down our eating. Thank you so much for your advice.

Hair loss is super common - the vast majority of us experience at least some of that (i had very little hair loss, fortunately), but the tooth thing is pretty rare, from what i can tell. That's probably why you were told about the hair loss and not the dental thing. It's just not seen all that much. Just tell your dentist about your surgery and that you've heard some people have dental problems and see what he or she suggests. Mine suggested the fluoride as a preventative measure, but said he'd never seen dental issues with his WLS patients

Beside a proper dose of calcium we need other minerals to help our bones and teeth.

To be able to absorb calcium, you need a good level of Vit D. The normal lab work indicate 30-100, but I personally try to kerk it at 55-75.

Once you body absorb the calcium - it needs other minerals (magnesium, stronium, etc) to build a good bones structure. And wwe need a healthy dose of vit K2 to "direct" the minerals to our bones and teeth.

There are studies that link vit K2 to "rebuilding" our bones. Without adequate K2, our system may deposits the extra calcium into our arteris, joints, even stones.

Many people take just calcium not realizing that other mineralas, and vitamins are critical for our bones.