Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I’m part of an bypass FB group and someone recently posted about their oral health and the overall state of their teeth is awful since getting surgery. How can this be avoided? I really love my teefs. They’re purdy.

Edited by Kimmie K

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I’ve heard the chewable vitamins can be rough of the teeth, because particles of the Vitamin will get stuck in the teeth/gum for awhile. On the flip side, vitamin deficiencies can also cause dental problems... https://www.barilife.com/blog/secret-complication-after-bariatric-surgery-2/

Also- keep in mind that increases nausea is a bit of a problem that many of us face. Stomach acids are awful on tooth enamel. You can read up best practices for cleaning up post-vomit here: https://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-32/issue-1/columns/preventing-dental-erosion-in-the-pregnant-patient.html.

The article references pregnant patients, but the basic point is that stomach acid is, well, acid and you should try to neutralize the acid in your mouth, as opposed to brushing the acid all over and into the teeth.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Make sure you get enough vit D & Calcium and keep up a good dental hygiene routine and that should be enough

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sometimes the people that post with tooth issues are those that either have not taken Calcium supplements or have not followed up with proper lab work or dental visits.

Doing those three things can help avoid dental problems.

Some people naturally have bad teeth genetics wise as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor told me that you can only absorb a certain amount of Calcium at once so I take it 3x a day. You also have to take Iron 4 hours before or after the Calcium so I take Calcium with meals and Iron before bed. My doctor recommended Viactiv Calcium +Vitamin D3 Supplement Soft Chews, Caramel, 100 Chews - Calcium Dietary Supplement for Bone Health by Viactiv and I like it.

I also brush almost every time I eat with a Quip electric toothbrush, because it's very soft, and use a Philips Sonicare HX8211/02 Airfloss Rechargeable Electric Flosser.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awesome...this is all good to hear. Oral hygiene and health has always been a HUGE deal to me. Team Sonicare for years. The DiamondClean toothbrush has amazed my dentist. He's like "Holy cow, what kind of toothbrush are you using?!" Thanks for all the input, folks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd personally dump the chewable vitamins as soon as you can per your doc's instructs. I agree that the chewables feel like they are hard on my teeth health. The chewable Iron has stained my enamel at my gum line terribly! I'm trying to find carbonyl iron pills now to replace my Celebrate Iron Chewables.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 70 and still have all my original teeth except for on molar and my wisdom teeth. I had gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago and it did not affect my teeth at all.

Like others have said, it is extremely important to follow the surgeon's guidelines on daily Vitamin intake after surgery. A lack of Calcium can destroy your teeth and bones.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

I'd personally dump the chewable vitamins as soon as you can per your doc's instructs. I agree that the chewables feel like they are hard on my teeth health. The chewable Iron has stained my enamel at my gum line terribly! I'm trying to find carbonyl Iron pills now to replace my Celebrate Iron chewables.

What do you take for Calcium? That's my only chewable.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't see very many posts about people having dental issues (a few, but not very often), and my dentist hasn't seen any problems with his WLS patients, so while it does happen to some, I don't get the sense it's terribly common.

My dentist said it's most likely due to acid (e.g. from vomiting or unmanaged GERD), but it could also be that people aren't being consistent with their supplements. My dentist gave me a prescription for some super-high-fluoride toothpaste that I use every night before bed, and he also does a fluoride varnish on my teeth every six months. He said if I *am* one of those people with acidic saliva, those two things will go a long way in preventing any problems. I'd say keep up with your dental hygiene and dental visits, and let your dentist know you're having WLS and are concerned about your teeth and see what he/she suggests.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Im a dental hygienist and 2 main things will cause dental problems 1is not getting the proper Vitamins and acids from the stomach can be very damaging to the teeth. I always tell my pregnant pts to rinse with Water after they vomit and try to control acid reflux. Dont brush directly after getting sick it will brush the acids into the teeth wait about 30 minutes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sharon21, thank you for the advice, very helpful!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 1 reply
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

    • jparadigm

      Hello lovlies!
      Today is a beautiful day in west Michigan! I hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday and rest of your week!! 🤗
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Having gall bladder surgery in a few days and I so hope the recovery is easier than the one from the modified DS! I could use a bit of luck/pep talk for a change. I'm starting to be able to walk around without experiencing dizziness, but it would be great if the random pain in my chest and abdomen would go away!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Dawn 1974

      4/4/2024 - new patient orientation. Wt 313
      4/5/2024 - got all my lab work done.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×