Make your dentist a part of your cancer treatment team!

Never thought your dentist could help with your cancer treatment? They can! Cancer treatments can effect all parts of your body, including your mouth. Your oral health can make a difference in how your cancer treatment proceeds, and an unhealthy mouth can increase the risk of developing oral side effects to cancer therapies and can even interfere with the treatment. 

How can your dentist help? Your dentist can be a very important part of your treatment team!

• Your dentist can help begin your treatments with a healthy mouth. 
• Your dentist can relieve oral side effects of treatments.

What do you mean "oral side effects?"

• During cancer treatment, painful sores can develop in your mouth, which can interfere with speaking and eating. 
• Dry mouth is another possible side effect. Without saliva in your mouth, you have a higher risk of tooth decay. Your dentist can give you an artificial saliva that will make you more comfortable and help protect your teeth.

Because you are more prone to infection while during cancer treatment, it's a great idea to have a dental check up before you start. That way, you can catch and/or prevent any infections involving your teeth. 

With head or neck cancer, radiation treatments can result in dry mouth and increase your risk of developing tooth decay. Your dentist can give you special trays that fit in your mouth and regularly apply a fluoride gel to your teeth. Fluoride helps strengthen and protect your teeth! 

What can you do?

• Brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.
• Floss once a day. 
• Stop tobacco use.
• Rinse your mouth after vomiting with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water. 
• Moisten dry mouth by drinking water, sucking on ice, chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free candy. Avoid mouth rinses that contain alcohol and ask your doctor about artificial saliva.

Always talk to your dentist about any problems you may be having with your mouth! Because dentists specialize in caring for your teeth and mouth, they can help limit the oral problems that may occur during cancer treatment. Include your dentist on your treatment team by letting him know about your cancer diagnosis & treatment & share your oncologists phone number and information with them. Together, we can help you feel great and keep that beautiful smile of yours healthy! 

Post credits: www.ada.org