RNY and cavities??

I don't know if this is a coincidence or what but I have never had a cavity in the 34 years of my life and in the past two years I have had 4 of them??   I just can't help but wonder if there isn't some kind of connection with this and WLS?  Has anyone else experienced this? Becky

The same.....I always had perfect teeth, and now, not so much.  I have had a couple in the back pulled and they are a lot more sensitive and don't feel as good as the used.  I am guessing it muct be the calcium.

Since my RNY almost two years ago, I've had to have two teeth pulled and 4 cavities filled. I've also had issues with low Vit D and now low calcium - so I would go along with the notion that this is related.   I also wonder if it has to do with acidic changes due to having the lower portion of the stomach (and it's acidic contents) blocked off..... I dunno.... Ph changes? Oh well - I fugure it is what it is - I just keep taking the supplements and going to the dentist. Pam

I'm  having trouble replying to the original post, so sorry I piggy backed onto yours. On the Grad list that has existed since the 90's, we find it VERY common to have teeth break & crumble.  Most of us were not launched on enough calcium or the right kind and certainly not enough vit D.  Most docs do not test vit D, so of course, without that part of the picture, the calcium can get all out of whack. I have done the requisite part of replacing antique fillings but now am replacing crowns.  WOW, those are expensive.  But I've been taking a LOT of the right calcium since 2000, and my D levels have been monitored since 1994, so one wonders if there is a connection, or just all those birthdays i survived because of  WLS.  

I asked my dentist about this when he told me I had 3 teeth that were going to require crowns (not cheap) and he said No, but I beg to differ, I had pretty good teeth all of my life until after GB surgery. if you learn anything let us know.

I think that maybe it was just your time to get the cavities.  You were blessed with good teeth before and maybe it's now catching up with you. All of mine have been filled when I was a senior in high school.  That's when all my cavities came out.  So maybe it is something related to the bypass or maybe it's just your time. either way they are no fun to fill. Koukla 338/179

Hi I am new here but will be celebrating my 1 year surgiversary on April 19th so I figure I am close enough to chime in on this one.   I am a dental assistant and have been one for over 19 years.  I think maybe it was just your time.  I know technology has really increased in the past couple of years in the detection of decay.  We now know earlier which is a good thing.   Consider yourself fortunate if you went this long with out a filling or crown.  I would also recommend a fluoride rinse usually available from your dentist or by prescription.  It certainly wouldn't hurt.

I agree with jackie. I too am a dental assistant for over 19 years and it is just your time i think.  Also the fluoride rinses would be good for anyone who is all of a sudden experiencing cavities or sensitivity. I havent had a cavity in over 22 years and only have 3 small fillings and havent had any new problems occur from GB and am 19 months out.  Sometimes teeth just break from the compromised fillings and wear on them so time will tell sometimes...like everything nothing last forever....Floss the ones you want to keep....jennifer r

I had a lot of cavities before my GBP because I used to drink a huge amount of regular coke everyday.  Since my surgery I have not had one dental problem or cavitiy.  I am taking this is because I do not drink soda anymore. 

My dentist here in OKC has an large amount of gastric bypass patients for some reason. He always checks my roots which have had some bone loss but not to a point to be concerned with.  one thing I DO know made a huge difference for me...do NOT use calcium carbonate...a few years ago there was a long thread about people whose teeth where falling OUT after the one year post op markand their calcium supplement they were taking was the carbonate (tums type). The BEST calcium supplement is calcium CITRATE of which there are several types to take now even tasty chewables! It helps a lot too if you can do dairy products which I know for some is not an option. When I was taking the calcium carbonate the doc's nutritionist said was cheap and good to take...mmm..well within a MONTH of taking it my teeth started loosening, I was having pain in my mouth and I had several cavities after 3 years of none. My teeth may not be perfect but I want to keep them!!!  I stopped taking the carbonate and within a 2 months time the pain and loosened teeth went away.  Have your dentist check you regularly to see if any bone loss is showing up in your teeth. Seriously..