Teeth breaking from chemotherapy side effects is a possibility. You'll want to get a dental health checkup and talk about treatment options with your dentist. They might suggest a steroid rinse or a topical anti-inflammatory. They might also prescribe an antifungal and antibacterial rinse.
Sometimes, oral cancer can affect a person's teeth. The disease could cause teeth to become loose or fall out.
Chemotherapy may affect tooth enamel and increase the risk of long-term dental problems. High doses of radiation therapy to the head and neck area may change tooth development. It can also cause gum disease and lower saliva production, causing a dry mouth.
The most common oral complications related to cancer therapies are mucositis, infection, salivary gland dysfunction, taste dysfunction, and pain. These complications can lead to secondary complications such as dehydration, dysgeusia, and malnutrition.
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.
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.
Mouth care during cancer treatment:
Let the toothbrush air-dry between brushings and replace the brush often. Avoid mint flavored or other strong flavored toothpaste or toothpaste with whitening ingredients, which may irritate the mouth. Instead choose a mild flavored fluoride toothpaste.
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.
Using ice or water to keep your mouth cold.
During certain types of chemotherapy treatment, it might help to swish ice chips or cold water around in your mouth. The cold limits the amount of treatment that reaches your mouth. This can lower your risk of mouth sores.
“All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.” Patricia often has survivors say they can't believe they got back to feeling 100% normal.
Breast cancer: Women with breast cancer have an overall 30% chance of recurrence. Many cases happen within five years of completing the initial treatment. Cervical cancer: Of those with invasive cervical cancer, an estimated 35% will have a recurrence.
Most chemotherapy drugs are cleared from body waste in about two days. A few drugs may take as long as seven or more days to be cleared.
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.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.
Peripheral neuropathy originated from cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs may cause severe localized pulpalgia in intact teeth.
Cancer treatments.
Chemotherapy or head and neck radiation therapy can cause tooth discoloration.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; and the glands that make saliva (spit).
If you have mouth pain during your cancer treatment, you should avoid: Tobacco. Alcohol. Mouthwash that has alcohol (such as Scope® and Listerine®)
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.
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.
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.
Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables that can hide dirt and other contaminants. Unpasteurized fruit juice or cider. Raw sprouts like alfalfa sprouts. Raw or undercooked beef (especially ground beef) or other raw or undercooked meat and poultry.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.