Everyday oral care for cancer patients includes keeping the mouth clean and being gentle with the tissue lining the mouth. Brush teeth and gums with a soft-bristle brush 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 minutes. Be sure to brush the area where the teeth meet the gums and to rinse often.
Use a fluoride toothpaste or baking soda with fluoride.
Chemotherapy can affect your teeth and other places in your mouth. Although chemo effectively kills cancer cells, it may also harm or kill healthy cells. If the chemotherapy medicines harm cells in your mouth such as your teeth, gums, or saliva glands, side effects can include: Painful teeth or gums.
The most appropriate time to schedule dental treatment during chemotherapy is after patients' blood counts have recovered, usually just prior to their next scheduled round or course of chemotherapy.
Chemo and dental problems can go hand-in-hand. Chemotherapy can affect your teeth, mouth and salivary glands, which produce your saliva. Oral and dental side effects could make it hard to talk, eat, swallow or chew. You're more likely to get an infection, which could be dangerous when you're having cancer treatment.
Avoid dental treatment for about a week after chemotherapy. Inflammation starts with red gums that may bleed. Even slight bleeding should not be ignored. Use toothpaste and chewing gum with xylitol.
When Should I See a Dentist? 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.
Removing teeth before chemotherapy reduces the risk that tooth decay will spread in the mouth and cause cavities to develop. Treating cavities is extremely difficult in cancer patients, so many dentists and oral surgeons recommend extracting the teeth which eliminates the problem.
Toxic effects of chemotherapy in the oral cavity may include ulcerative mucositis/stomatitis, xerostomia, salivary gland dysfunction, oral infections, and oral sores. Oral infections can result in periodontal changes with advanced attachment loss and mobility.
Magic mouthwash is the term given to a solution used to treat mouth sores caused by some forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Mouth sores (oral mucositis) can be extremely painful and can result in an inability to eat, speak or swallow.
Sparkling water, smoothies, juices, milk, tea and even coffee count toward your daily fluid goal. It's important to limit caffeine, which may increase urination and loss of sodium, making it more difficult to keep your body hydrated. Alcohol also is actually dehydrating and should be avoided.
They found that chewing gum could decrease mild to moderate inflammatory injuries of the oral mucosa caused by chemotherapy (Didem et al., 2014; Eghbali et al., 2016; Gandemer et al., 2007). In the study, Didem et al. (2014) and Eghbali et al.
Clean your teeth with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and replace regularly (at least every three months) to prevent infection. Use a mild toothpaste recommended by your dentist. Avoid whitening toothpastes, which may irritate the mouth and gums.
A sore mouth caused by chemotherapy usually happens about 5 to 10 days after you start treatment. It gradually clears up 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment ends.
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.
The neuropathy originated from neurotoxicity of anticancer drugs is usually described as a diffuse jaw pain or numbness in orofacial structures. This article reports localized tooth pain as a possible outcome of administrating high dosage chemotherapy drugs particularly in the last cycles of application.
Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. If necessary, contact your doctor for stronger medication.
If your cancer treatment includes taking oral chemotherapy, there are important safety tips you and your caregiver should follow. It is safe to touch other people while on chemotherapy. You can hug and kiss.
Drink beverages such as diluted fruit juice, milk, buttermilk, lemonade, ginger ale or sports drinks. Choose desserts that aren't as sweet, such as yogurt, custard, pumpkin pie, fruit, baked fruit, fruit with cottage cheese, fruit crumble, plain doughnuts, or graham crackers.
The American Cancer Society recommends a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa. The most advantageous way to eat dark chocolate without any added ingredients such as caramel, peanut butter, marshmallow, etc.