Bariatric Surgery and Oral Health: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the influence of bariatric surgery (BS) on the oral health of obese individuals.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective cohort study was conducted at a private center for treatment of obesity. Obese individuals who underwent BS were evaluated before and 5–7 months after BS. A questionnaire about sociodemographic data, general and oral health histories, dietary habits, and oral health behavior was applied.

Results:

The sample was composed of 103 participants; it was observed that oral health behaviors were similar before and after BS (p > 0.05); however, the flossing frequency improved after surgery (p = 0.039). There was an increase in report of frequent vomiting (p < 0.001), halitosis (p = 0.002), xerostomia (p < 0.001), and difficulty swallowing (p < 0.001), and a decrease of reported dentine hypersensitivity (p = 0.001) after BS. Moreover, there were some reports of changes in the soft tissues of the oral cavity after this surgery, and the eating habits changed.

Conclusion:

The possible complications of BS may have effects on oral health. Obese individuals presented risk factors for oral diseases before and after BS, but these risk factors were different.