Question:
help needed ! (post op teeth question.)

I am just about 4 yrs post-op. 12/98 open rny. the major problem im having is all of my teeth are deteriating at a rapid rate. the dentist is very stumped by all this. before my surgery i never even had a cavity before! now i have 4 broken teeth, and all the rest have cavities. I take calcium suppliments like crazy but nothing seems to help. im not into wearing dentures at age 40! any help or info is great appreciated! Daniel    — dhuberty (posted on October 21, 2002)

October 21, 2002
This happened to me in the years following my vbg because I used to throw up many times a day. I found myself getting crowns on half my teeth. I don't know what else could cause this other than that.
   — Michele :.

October 21, 2002
Daniel - How are your labs...Are you showing a calcium deficiency? Sometimes labs are normal, because the calcium your getting may be coming out of your bones. What sort of Calcium are you taking? Tums or any other form of Calcium Carbonate are not absorbed by WLS patients. You need to be taking Calcium Citrat. If you already are taking the citrate, you might want to speak to your surgeon's nutritionist on staff. Maybe they could help. Wish you the best. Take care.
   — Brooke H.

October 21, 2002
Daniel, how were your parents teeth? Cousins teeth? Sister & brothers? I'm a pre-op, 30 years old, but had perfectly fine teeth until the last couple of years. I did a little checking and EVERYONE in my family has teeth problems starting right around the age of 30 in my family. I was doomed to go from the person who had the most clean teeth my dental cleaner lady had ever seen (and that was with NO regular dental visits) to now having decalcification of nearly all my teeth at the gum line and quickly growing cavities all over. Its a nightmare. I know based on family history now that I'm doomed to dentures but am fighting to keep my teeth for now. I hope you find your answer.
   — Shelly S.

October 21, 2002
All I can say is to keep flossing daily. I have noticed that my teeth now need flossing very badly even after brushing. I'm thinking it's because I am eating less crunchy things like crusty breads and pretzels.
   — Janet S.