Question:
Any studies out there on the teeth issues some post-ops suffer from?
I know this has been discussed before, but as my surgery date draws near, I am 'lurking' on the graduate list on Yahoo. There is a survey going on about the health of teeth post WLS, it is terrifying. Any thoughts on how we can keep out teeth healthy? — Elizabeth .. (posted on May 5, 2003)
May 5, 2003
I am pre-op 3 months, and I talked to my dentist, he said that surgeons
really do not get into that part. He wants me to start floride treatments
about one month before my surgery and continue the treatments, he said that
there is not alot of studies on the effects on the teeth after WLS, but he
has found from previous WLS patients that the large amount of protein that
they take can wear the enamal off of your teeth, also, if you do alot of
vomiting that can wear the enamal off. He said that because of the blood
thinners used, and if you do not get enough of vit and minerals, this will
effect your teeths health. So I would suggest that you make an appt with
your dentist and talk with him/her about after WLS care for your teeth. I
know that I feel very glad that I did, and I will be getting that floride
treatment in July and my surgery is in August, then the treatment will be
part of brushing my teeth in the future. Hope this helps
— cindy
May 5, 2003
It's not really a survey, I'm just askin' around. I don't have tooth
troubles myself, but then I never did chewables. I'm just gathering data
to see how much has to do with chewable vites vs swallow types, if
anything. I take a rushing river of protein drinks, so that's not having
any effect at this point. The people aI personaly know with these problems
are/were always very mouth-care conscious, so that lets that one out of
this equation. And this isn't about calcium. That's a different type of
damage. I'm specifically after crumbling, breaking teeth, which all the
dental folks say is externally caused. So, my thinking is chewable vites
and, gasp, Tums.
— vitalady
May 5, 2003
I had an extensive talk with my dentist (see my profile) before surgery
because I had heard the same thing about post-WLS teeth. He prescribed
Prevadent (has 4X the amount of fluoride of regular toothpastes). So,
since surgery, I've used it 3 times a day. The only thing I don't like
about it is I don't feel like my teeth are smooth afterwards. What I do is
brush with my favorite toothpaste, rinse, then brush with the Prevadent,
but DON'T rinse after...just spit (sorry..."expectorate"). Also,
no eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment. Fluoride treatments
would work, too, but require a dental visit. Talk to your dentist about
prescribing Prevadent (comes in generic)...I will know how my teeth are at
my next checkup in 4 months....Good luck and NO WORRIES!***Amy LAP RNY
04-09-03
— Amy A.
May 5, 2003
Hmmm. If it isn't calcium, and it isn't protein, and it isn't (forgive me)
"hurling" (which I never did as a post-op), another theory could
be that those of us who are big bottled-water drinkers *now* (and weren't
as pre-ops) are missing out on flouride 'cause it isn't it most bottle
waters. Of course, somebody will come along and debunk that theory, too,
leaving us all scratching our heads (but not you fresh posties with hair
loss, please). My dentist also gave me a fluoride paste to put on my teeth
at bedtime *after* regular brushing. So they seem to think it's a fluoride
thing. No cracking or breaking yet, though my first checkup after WLS was
so bad (sore gums) that I now go three times a year instead of two for
cleaning, use the fluoride stuff, and floss at least twice a day (and also
chew dental gum after meals). So far so good. I sure wish we knew more
though.
— Suzy C.
May 5, 2003
There is a brand of bottled water that does have flouride added......can't
think of it at the moment :)
— jennifer A.
May 5, 2003
I know my teeth seem to be "Furry" practically from plaque as a
result of the ketosis. I brush, and brush, and have finally taken to
carrying gauze with me to wipe my "toofers" off with during the
day. The dragon breath and this film are the worst daily part now (RNY
4/1/03). I've got an appointment to see my dentist in a couple of weeks.
I spoke with him a couple weeks ago, and he was going to do some research
for me. He thinks the changes are are a result of malabsorbtion of calcium
and flouride and the ketosis. I'll try to remember to come back to this
and post when I know more. In the mean time, there's no danger from
chewing chewable vitamins - at least not initially if the teeth were
healthy pre-op.
— Rora W.
May 5, 2003
Pre op I harted going to any doc. I wonder if we start taking better care
of ourselves as post ops and discover big dental problems that were
existing before surgery? Perhaps even caused by our sugary filed pre op
diet?<P> OPost ops get all sorts of troubles that everyone else does,
not all are WLS related. I wish they would do a study oif this...
— bob-haller
May 6, 2003
I had my teeth cleaned last month and my dentist didn't know much about
WLS. So, I explained it to him (the anatomical changes, the food, the
vitamins and supps). He agreed with me that a flouride treatment with each
cleaning would be a good thing and he also suggested that I rinse at
bedtime with ACT flouride rinse (it's OTC). Also, he advised that I should
have my teeth cleaned three or four times a year instead of every six
months. His reasoning was that the high amount of protein post-ops tend to
consume can work to break down the enamel on our teeth faster than non-WLS
people.
— lizinPA
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