Question:
Has anyone had more cavaties since surgery?
I've gone 30 years with only 4 fillings - went to the dentist yesterday, and I now have nine new cavaties! Yes, 9 cavaties! The dentist was a little confused because I had gone so long with only 4 cavaties/fillings - and suddendly I have so many. The dental hygenist wondered about my WLS and if nutritional deficiencies since the surgery could have played a part. Has anyone else had something like this happen? Or know of any studies either supporting this theory? Open RNY 03/20/03 326/211/146 — vittycat (posted on January 24, 2004)
January 24, 2004
I don't know about the WLS connection, but my husband has also noticed a
lot more plaque on his teeth and he has been doing the Atkins diet for
about 4 months. Maybe it's a high protein/low carb reason.
— saltybichon
January 24, 2004
Funny you should ask, my Dentist has been saying he thinks my rapid
decaying of my teeth is due to lack of obsorbtion from my food and
vitamins, but he also does not know alot about WLS and is making a guess.
My teeth are decaying like dominos and im only 28 and he said within 5yrs I
will be in dentures at this pace. I have always had cavity problems, but I
do get my check-ups, cleanings and dental care like im suppose too and of
course I do brush. This stinks and I suffer with pain now and he also said
I have recent rapid bone loss in my gums.
— Sandy M.
January 24, 2004
I doubt that it's malabsorption--the effect would take longer if that were
the case. It seems likely to me that the cause of increased dental
problems post-gastric bypass is our new eating habits. Most of us eat 4 to
6 times a day, and may also have protein shakes as well. Every time you
put any kind of food in your mouth, some of it sticks to your teeth,
encouraging bacteria and plaque growth. The fact that we do not drink for
half an hour (or more--it's an hour for me) after eating leaves this food
and bacteria build-up on the teeth even longer. I've begun chewing some
Dentyne (or other sugarless gum) after every meal and snack as a way of
cleaning my teeth. I know some people shun gum because of a fear of
swallowing it, but I'm careful, and am hoping this will help my dental
health.
— Vespa R.
January 24, 2004
I've also been told it has some to do with how much we chew. Most people
don't sit and chew food to mush. I've noticed that now that I'm further
out (18 months) and not chewing as finely that my plaque is not at bad as
the first year. (shrug).
— [Deactivated Member]
January 24, 2004
I'm glad you asked the quition as I was just at the dentist for my 6 month
cleaning and I had 3 cavaties and I have not had any for years. Someone
suggested to me it was a lack of calcium which made the teeths soft, I
don't know if that it true but I think I will google after each protein
drink or meal or perhaps also brush my teeths more often than the 3 times I
allready do. I will be very interrested in reading more about this
subject.
— Tove Annelise H.
January 24, 2004
My dentist has suggested to me that this cavity problem so many postops
have is due to a change in body chemistry, including saliva + the changes
in the digestive enzymes that start in the mouth and end in the lower
stomach. Preop, these enzymes all worked in unison to digest whatever type
of food we ate. Postop that is all changed. My dentist told me to drink
plenty of water, rinse and spit at least 5 times after eating or drinking
anything, floss daily. He said cavities have nothing to do with calcium
absorption as adults. Cavities are caused by food sitting on the teeth,
the foods turn to acids and the acid eats away at the enamel. This can be
speeded up by the changes in mouth chemistry postop. If your enamel is
strong to start with, you have a better chance of keeping your teeth in
good shape post wls. Also, keep your postop diet balanced, protein, complex
carbs and fats. A very high protein diet could be the cause of rotting
teeth in some ppl esp if they had good teeth preop and were not on high
protein for any length of time.
— mary ann T.
January 25, 2004
I am a dental assistant who is 4 months post-op. Has your dental care
changed at all less flossing etc. I know our diets have changed for the
better. but can't see why you would have so many cavities. Did you have
watches on those areas? I will ask my doctor who used to teach at the local
dental college.
— Donna S.
January 25, 2004
I just went to the dentist this month and I have 2 new cavities. I was not
happy, but he thinks it has something to do with having a drier mouth (not
drinking after eating). He said the bacteria thrive more in that condition
when they are not rinsed away. So I also have to be more diligent about
flossing.
— Dragonfly2B2
January 25, 2004
I have heard that it is the combination of a high protein diet, change in
body chemistry and not washing food away after eating. I try to be more
diligent about brushing after eating but since I eat six small meals a day,
I can forget to brush or not be in a place that is convenient to bruch so I
carry a small bottle of mouthwash with me (I pick up about a dozen travel
sized bottles each week at Walgreens) and try to at least rinse after a
meal if I'm not in a convenient place to brush.
— susanje
January 25, 2004
I am just about one year post op and just went to the dentist last month
for the first time in four years!!!! The hygenist was suprised how good my
gums looked and I was amazed that I didn't have a single cavity. I am 31
years old and have only had one cavity ever and figured that maybe having
the surgery would break that trend. So, who knows. I would think that it
may have something to do with eating (and drinking) more often though.
Would be nice if they could pinpoint something so people could at least be
aware and do something about it.
— eaamc
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