Question:
has anyone found that they have more dental problems after surgery?

Hi guys, I almost to my year anniversery and I have been having so many dental problems that I never had before my surgery. I was wondering if anyone had experience the same problems.    — Veronica M. (posted on November 10, 2003)

November 10, 2003
Yes, yes, yes! I wondered if it was a coincidence or really had something to do with the gastric bypass. I'm interested to see other answers.
   — Vicki S.

November 10, 2003
My teeth are probably as crappy after surgery as they were before. I just had another root canal tonight. I had talked to my dentist a couple of years ago asking him about taking out my teeth and getting dentures and he didn't think that was a good idea. <p> I asked him again tonight and he said that he thought that I should go ahead and do it at this time. He said that I should make arrangements to get my remaining molars (or more accurately, what remains of my remaining molars) removed, get fitted for a full upper plate and after they are made (and I have healed up), then get the remaining upper teeth removed (they are all loose and my dentist says that eventually they'd have to go. I'll only need a partial on the bottom because the front eight teeth down there are fine... Just have crappy enamel; it has nothing to do with the surgery...JR
   — John Rushton

November 10, 2003
I asked my dentist about this before my surgery, and he told me that alot of the reason our teeth get worse after WLS, is we consume so much protein that it eats the enamal and flouride off of our teeth. He has me using a flouride toothpaste and a flouride gel. I am 3 months post-op and before surgery I did not have any new cavaties now I have two new small cavaties that I am having filled next week. I go every three months to the dentist, and that way I am hoping that I can prevent any extreme dental work.
   — cindy

November 10, 2003
It's not a coincidence. I've heard this alot, and have experienced it myself. I just shelled out almost $1000.00 for a bridge, not to mention a ton of other work I've had done.
   — mom2jtx3

November 10, 2003
I have a friend who had the surgery in May 2003,and she has to have 4 teeth pulled now!She was not taking any vitamins or calcium or protein supplements.The doc said that the lack of vitamins were the cause and that she couldn't start taking them until she had her teeth pulled or the vitamins would feed the infection!Just one more reason to follow doctors orders!!
   — natalie J.

November 11, 2003
I'm positive I started having gum problems after my RNY, and I'm pretty sure it is directly related. I take all my vitamins and eat plenty of protein, so I'm leaning towards the food staying on the teeth theory. Would love a definitive answer. S
   — sherry hedgecock

November 16, 2003
I'm 5 months out and have noticed that my teeth are alot more sensitive and don't feel as strong as they used to.Wonder if any studies have been done?
   — jennifer A.