dental and bone changes with maladsorption

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

You wrote, " The dental problems came as a very sudden and unhappy surprise to

me. All I can say is that you need to keep on top of this and have regular

checkups with your dentist, and do any type of preventative care that the

dentist suggests. "

I need to second that. I was extremely disappointed when my years of preventive

dentistry came falling apart. It happened in one afternoon when my bridge

collapsed. There was not sufficient bone for an implant and the remaining teeth

would not support another bridge. I ended up losing all my teeth. That was after

several thousands in veneers, and other restorative and preventive dental

therapeutics. I was ashamed that I had to get dentures as I always associated it

with people who did not take care of their teeth. I learned that that has

nothing to do with it. Now I am learning that a person with dentures and

pancreatitis is even different than just the person with dentures. Since the

bone loss, malnutrition, and diabetes is continually causing the shape of our

jawbone to change, the dentures need to be checked often for proper placement.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Pancreatitis Association International