Question:
How prevalent are dental problems & can you do anything before surgury to prevent it?

I just found out I was approved for surgury on Tuesday, and then read the postings about teeth falling out and root canals. This is really scary! Can you take calcium supplements before your surgury to boost your level? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening?    — J H. (posted on March 15, 2003)

March 15, 2003
Yes! I think all AMericans should be supplementing some. In the US, we lok to dairy for calcium. It has a little, but the main sources of dietary calcium are green leafies, nuts, seeds & legumes. Very few people get those daily OR avoid them completely. An AMAZING number of us who get a dexascan pre-op find there is ALREADY some damage. And they tell us fat folks have dense bones. Not true. Imagine the surprise of these people to find out they are starting out behind the 8-ball. The general public also is prone to osteoporosis, but we have to be especially diligent in getting in plenty of good calcium (citrate), and avoiding or at least minimizing things like brown liquids, coffee, tea, cola (diet or decaf makes no diff to the bones). The flip side is that staying morbidly obese may cost you your heart or lungs. Great choice, huh? I think we have a fighting chane if we know exactly were we are going in, and then realize our fragile position after.
   — vitalady