New Studies Point to Importance of Oral Health Maintenance after Bariatric Surgery

March 22, 2021

Bariatric surgery can be life-changing for someone struggling with extreme obesity. Over the past decade, the rate of bariatric surgery in the United States has risen significantly. Although bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for extreme obesity, it is associated with other risk factors. According to the Journal of Applied Oral Science, oral health conditions are among those risks.¹ Dentists are seeing an increase in caries, dental erosion and hypersensitivity in bariatric surgery patients.

Why is this happening? And what can we do about it?

Changes to the gut affect the mouth

A number of factors are at play after someone undergoes bariatric surgery. They must eat more frequent and prolonged meals throughout the day, their saliva flow decreases, and they experience more indigestion and reflux after surgery. To make matters worse for oral health, people report eating more sweet foods after surgery, which increases the pH in their mouths.

People who undergo bariatric surgery and their medical and dental teams need to consider potential dental problems after bariatric surgery. They should take steps to promote oral hygiene maintenance, healthy dietary patterns and regular dental health monitoring by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Oral-care probiotics can help

In addition to traditional oral care practices, such as flossing, brushing and using mouthwash, oral-care probiotics can also offer protection. ProBiora Health is the only oral-care probiotic design specifically to help support gum and teeth health. This specialized type of probiotic is formulated to re-populate the naturally occurring beneficial bacteria, which crowd out harmful bacteria that can lead to cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Bariatric surgery can make a major improvement in one’s quality of life. It makes sense to maximize the benefits of surgery while minimizing the side effects with a robust oral care regimen that includes ProBiora Health oral-care probiotics.

Remember, a healthy body starts with a healthy mouth!