Dental Care During Cancer

Summary

Sarah Carr, a dentist from the Community Dental Service, explains how important it is to maintain oral care after cancer treatment. She discusses common issues like dry mouth, tooth decay, and difficulty cleaning the mouth, which can result from radiotherapy and other side effects. Emphasizing the significance of using high-fluoride toothpaste, managing sugar intake, and maintaining regular dentist visits, Sarah provides guidance on products and techniques for effective oral care. She also encourages patients to reach out for assistance if they are having difficulty accessing care or feel anxious about dental visits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Taking care of your oral health after cancer treatment is essential to prevent further complications.
• 😀 Radiotherapy can lead to tooth decay and dry mouth, so it’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene.
• 😀 Brush with high-fluoride toothpaste twice daily to help prevent tooth decay, and don’t rinse afterward.
• 😀 Dry mouth is a common issue post-treatment and may not fully resolve, but moisturizing gels and sprays can help.
• 😀 Sugar in food and drinks is the main cause of tooth decay, so try to minimize sugary intake and rinse your mouth after consuming supplements.
• 😀 Regular dental checkups are important to catch and address small problems before they turn into bigger issues.
• 😀 If you have difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing, discuss this with your dentist so they can adapt treatments accordingly.
• 😀 It's important to avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking as these can worsen dry mouth.
• 😀 If you’ve had teeth removed, there are replacement options such as dentures, bridges, or implants. Wait a few months after radiotherapy before considering replacements.
• 😀 Don’t delay visiting the dentist—prevention is much easier than fixing problems later on. Seek support from the Head and Neck dental team if you have trouble accessing care.

Q & A

What is the role of Sarah Carr in the head and neck team?

Sarah Carr is one of the dentists in the community dental service, working directly with the head and neck team to support patients following cancer treatment, especially focusing on oral side effects and prevention of further complications.

How can cancer treatment affect oral health?

Cancer treatment, particularly radiotherapy, can cause oral side effects like dryness in the mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay. It may also lead to changes in taste, difficulty swallowing, and alterations in the shape and feel of the mouth, making oral care more challenging.

Why is oral care especially important after cancer treatment?

After cancer treatment, oral care becomes crucial as dryness in the mouth, increased sugar intake from taste changes, and difficulty cleaning the mouth can lead to rapid tooth decay and other complications. Regular dental checkups help prevent these issues.

What should patients do to prevent tooth decay after radiotherapy?

Patients should brush their teeth with high fluoride toothpaste twice a day, without rinsing afterward, to maximize protection. Using smaller brushes or interspace brushes can also help clean hard-to-reach areas. It's important to focus on daily care and attend regular dental checkups.

How does sugar intake affect oral health after cancer treatment?

Sugar in food and drinks can lead to tooth decay, especially if consumed regularly. After cancer treatment, patients may have altered tastes or difficulty swallowing, which can lead to increased consumption of sugary drinks. It's better to limit these and clean the mouth after consuming such items.

What are some tips for managing dry mouth after cancer treatment?

Chewing sugar-free gum, drinking water regularly, and using prescribed mouth moisturizing products like gels and sprays can help manage dry mouth. These products need to be reapplied frequently, as their effects don't last long. It's also important to avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.

What are some alternatives to sugary mouthwashes during the healing phase?

During the healing phase, mouthwashes like Gelclair, Caphosol, and Corsodyl may be used temporarily. However, once healing progresses, these can be replaced with fluoride mouthwashes, which help prevent decay and protect teeth long-term.

What should a patient do if they have difficulty opening their mouth or swallowing?

If patients have trouble opening their mouth or swallowing, they should inform their dentist. The dentist can adjust their treatment and care plan to accommodate these challenges and help maintain oral health in a way that works for the patient.

How does radiotherapy affect the risk of osteoradionecrosis?

Radiotherapy can increase the risk of osteoradionecrosis, a condition where the jawbone doesn't heal properly or becomes infected. This is why it's important for patients to inform their dentist if they've had radiotherapy, as certain dental procedures like tooth extractions may need to be avoided to reduce this risk.

What options are available for replacing missing teeth after cancer treatment?

Options for replacing missing teeth after cancer treatment include dentures, bridges, or implants, depending on the patient's specific needs. However, it's recommended to wait a few months after radiotherapy before considering replacements, and patients should consult their dentist or the head and neck team for advice.