Dental problems after WLS??

Well, I have a pretty good deal with my docs. *I* don't do surgery, and they can kinda follow my lead in vites. LOL

I've seen a coupla surgeries, but they don't let me participate.

Hey! Maybe next time, huh?

My story is definately a sad one, i am 5 years out and in the process of getting all my teeth removed and going to permanent dentures. I am 40 years old and would have never thought this would have been a situation I would have been facing. At  8 months out i started noticing my teeth were moving. I went to the dentist-he said my teeth were fine no problems, no cavities, maybe i just need a scaling-had it done, end of story. I took my vitamins regularly and have always been a freak about brushing my teeth. Fast forward 2 years, I go to the dentist with a broken tooth, and learn I have a cavity in every tooth in my mouth-the dentist was very rude too me-asked me about personal hygiene and was I a drug user. I cried for half an hour in his parking lot and swore i would never go back. One year later I had 9 teeth broken..I was in misery, went to the dentist-*****fused to work on my teeth because he said until I admitted to him I was a methamphetamine user-he would not work on my teeth. He said that whenever he saw people with teeth like mine, that they were all drug addicts-needless to say, i did not go back. I moved to arkansas in 2008-we bought a house from a dentist and I gave it one more shot-Dr. Joel Foster is the most wonderful compassionate dentist in the whole world-he had heard of people with this complication before-had even gone to dental conventions, talking to his collegues about it-this is not uncommon-just not talked about in your pre-op visits. He initially pulled 13 of my teeth and fixed every tooth that was left in my mouth-now a year later, I have 10 new cavities, and demineralization in every tooth-despite, doing daily flouride treatments, and brushing and flossing obsessively. So I hate to be the bearer of bad news>>but please take all your vitamins, go see your dentist regularly and do not be afraid to give your dentist information supporting the gastric bypass theory and problems that people are having. I didnt mean to ramble, I just want people that are having these problems to know they are not alone.

Thanks for your reply, Carrie.  I know it was hard sharing your story........but we need a lot more people out there to make the connection about major dental problems being from this surgery.
Since my posted question on this site, I have been to my dentist and have been doing more research.  My dentist could not believe the change in my teeth in 12 months.  You cannot tell from my smile but it's like there are dips and dents and craters in my teeth where it used to be smooth.  He said he wants to take a conservative approach until we find out what is causing it.  His guess is that it is the acid in my saliva causing it.  He is not a medical dr so he asked me to have my dr order a PH balance saliva test.  He suggests doing some bonding on my teeth to protect them.  I see my dr tomorrow so will have a bunch of tests done to see what's going on and if I have any deficiencies or if the acid balance is too high.  I have heard also from several people that have had WLS..................one gal had to get full dentures at age 32.  One man had to get implants and now the implants are falling out.  One woman is having major problems and having teeth pulled. The gal that had to have dentures went through other replacement stuff before having to get the dentures anyway in the end.  So she suggested to me that I hold off on getting any bonding done until I know what's going on for sure.  If it is high acid, you'd think bonding will also be ruined.  If that's the case, i will go ahead and get dentures right in the beginning.  This in unbelievable isn't it?
From what Vitalady says, most WLS post ops have dental problems unless they are on mega doses of calcium and vit D...................and most aren't.
I did read that there is a medicine for keeping you PH balance where it should be but I don't know what that would be.............a question for the doctor.
Soooooooooo...........that is where I'm at now.  Will update as I get more info.
Good luck, Carrie.

I had no dental insurance for years now...sad, and had GB in 2003, its now 7 years post op I never had decay problems with my teeth, but now I am getting help from the local dentist college...I have 14 cavities, and decay, chipped teeth and have had to explain to the dentists now for 7 years that I believe it was from my surgery, none of them have done any research and accused me of drinking soda amas consuming carbohydrates and other wonderful "accusations" Pissed me off temendously...I was also prescribed a high flouride toothpaste, and told to gargle and mouth wash with the "purple" listerine at least twice a day...I also recently, this past December 2009, had a full body lift and had 25lbs. of skin removed...I feel great!  Except for my teeth, my anemia, and my fear of falling and breaking a bone, I wish that there was a study being conducted for the after affects and knowledge due to the lack of absorbtion...also question for others...What supplements do you all take besides the "norms" calcium, B's, Acidolpholus, VIt C, greens, etc....????

Hello,
I happened across your blog will searching out information to try and investigate any connection between gastric bi pass surgery and dental problems. I am a practicing dentist and have a number of patients that have Had bi pass surgery including my 27 yo son. I've seen much of what has been described in your blogs and would like to try to understand exactly why these problems are occurring. I've discussed this with my sons physicians assistants and they claim that they have never heard anything about any dental complications following this procedure. So apparently no help there. If your group could put me in touch with their individual dentist I will follow up on their findings, treatment, and successful options so we can help in  predicting successful options to people in this dilemma. My email is [email protected] . I have 2 people that are "failing apart dentally" fast and need to have some basis to determine effective treatment for them. Obviously this doesn't effect everyone that has had gastric bi pass but the occurrence may be as high as 15% based on my limited experience. My son is out 5 yrs now and has had only minor issues dentally. Let me know.

Things will get better if we can get enough info to advise patients,dentists, and surgeons.

Hi

I know what your going through, I had gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago the past year I had 7 cavaties, and my teeth 3 of them were craked/broken.  I never had this problem in all my years on seeing my dentist every 6 month.  I'm afraid when I go back I'll have more cavaties, I see one and see him in a few weeks and another tooth cracked on me.  I know it is because of we are not getting or maintaining all our vitamins and the body goes to the teeth and bones to get it.  I also use the purple listerine although I don't think it works.  I have also developed osteoporosis.  Never a dull moment.  I hope things work out for you.  It's such a horrible situation to keep going through, they think we are eatting a lot ot sweets and making excused but I haven't but it is hard to convince the dentist of that.

Sorry to vent.  I do hope things will get better for you.