Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.
Chemotherapy causes other side effects in children, depending on the child's age. Problems with teeth are the most common. Permanent teeth may be slow to come in and may look different from normal teeth. Teeth may fall out.
If you don't produce enough saliva because of cancer treatment, plaque can build up more easily on your teeth. Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Allow at least 14 days of healing for any oral • surgical procedures. Conduct prosthetic surgery before treatment, since • elective surgical procedures are contraindicated on irradiated bone.
You need to see the dentist at least two weeks before your chemotherapy begins. If you have already started chemotherapy and didn't go to a dentist, see one as soon as possible. You should also see a dentist as recommended or needed during and after treatment.
Use a fluoride toothpaste or baking soda with fluoride.
Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.
Oral cancer can present itself in many different ways, which could include: a lip or mouth sore that doesn't heal, a white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth, loose teeth, a growth or lump inside your mouth, mouth pain, ear pain, and difficulty or pain while swallowing, opening your mouth or chewing.
But many patients are surprised by one of the most common side effects of this treatment: oral mucositis – also called “chemo mouth.” Five to 10 days following an initial chemotherapy treatment, inflammation and sores can develop on the tongue, gums and anywhere along the digestive tract.
Patients may complain of throbbing lower jaw pain. These chemotherapeutic agents are also associated with peripheral neuropathy (tingling and loss of sensation of the fingers and toes), and this phantom tooth pain is actually the neuropathy manifesting in the jaw.
A person undergoing chemotherapy should avoid eating undercooked or raw food, interacting with actively infectious people, overexerting themselves, and consuming too much alcohol. There are also things that a person can do to minimize risks during chemotherapy.
Try making a mouthwash by dissolving bicarbonate of soda and salt in 1 cup of warm water. While your mouth is very sensitive during treatment, use 1/4 tsp of each ingredient. After treatment is over, you can increase this to 1/2 tsp. Swish it around your mouth, spit it out and then rinse your mouth with plain water.
Your Gums Are Receding
Your gums protect your teeth's nerves. As they recede, they pull back to expose those nerves, causing tooth sensitivity and tooth pain. Receding gums can be the result of brushing too hard over a long period of time, or they can be a sign of something more serious like gum disease.
A toothache can be caused by anything from a popcorn hull stuck in your gum to a broken tooth or a bacterial infection. Some toothaches may come from temporary gum irritation. But serious toothaches need treatment by a dental professional to resolve the pain and whatever problem is causing it.
A toothache or tooth pain is caused when the nerve in the root of a tooth or surrounding a tooth is irritated. Dental (tooth) infection, decay, injury, or loss of a tooth are the most common causes of dental pain. Pain may also occur after an extraction (tooth is pulled out).
Parents are often surprised to learn that tooth decay can begin as soon as a baby's teeth come in, usually by age six months. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, and the infection can spread. If decay is not treated, it can destroy the baby teeth.
Can a decayed tooth be saved? With the right dental professionals by your side, even severely decayed teeth can be restored. Whether you require dental crowns, fillings, or a combination of treatments, No Gaps Dental can help restore your smile and confidence.
Failing to treat your rotten teeth can lead to bacteria entering and infecting your bloodstream. Untreated, blood infections can lead to sepsis which can ultimately lead to death.
Keep a variety of protein-rich snacks on hand that are easy to prepare and eat. These include yogurt, cereal and milk, half a sandwich, a bowl of hearty soup, and cheese and crackers. Avoid snacks that might make any treatment-related side effects worse.
Try marinating meat, chicken or fish in marinades, soy sauce, sweet fruit juices, wine or Italian-style dressings. Try salty, spicy or smoked meats, such as seasoned beef steaks, pork loins, ham, sausage or cold cuts. Try high-protein foods that may taste better cold or at room temperature.
Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration.
During chemotherapy, a person's lips may become dry and cracked. They can try using a moisturizing lip balm to relieve this side effect. A person should apply lip balm several times throughout the day to get the best results.
Any clothes or sheets that have body fluids on them should be washed in your washing machine – not by hand. Wash them in warm water with regular laundry detergent. Do not wash them with other clothes. If they can't be washed right away, seal them in a plastic bag.
Use a mild soap for bathing. Use a soft towel to gently wash skin. Be sure to clean feet, groin, underarms, and other sweaty areas well. Do not rub skin with the towel, instead pat it dry.