Dental examination before cancer treatment

Editor in Chief: Berna Zorkun DMD [mailto:bernazorkun@gmail.com]

Three Good Reasons to have a Dental Examination before any Cancer Treatment

 * 1) Feel better: Your cancer treatment may be easier if you work with your dentist and hygienist. Make sure you have a pretreatment dental checkup.
 * 2) Save teeth and bones: A dentist will help protect your mouth, teeth, and jaw bones from damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Children also need special protection for their growing teeth and facial bones.
 * 3) Fight cancer: Doctors may have to delay or stop your cancer treatment because of problems in your mouth. To fight cancer best, your cancer care team should include a dentist.

Protect Your Mouth During Cancer Treatment

 * Brush gently & brush often


 * Brush your teeth--and your tongue--gently with an extra-soft toothbrush.
 * If your mouth is very sore, soften the bristles in warm water.
 * Brush after every meal and at bedtime


 * Floss gently & do it daily


 * Floss once a day to remove plaque.
 * If your gums bleed and hurt, avoid the areas that are bleeding or sore, but keep flossing your other teeth.


 * Keep your mouth moist


 * Rinse often with water.
 * Don’t use mouthwashes with alcohol in them.
 * Use a saliva substitute to help moisten your mouth.


 * Eat and drink with care


 * Choose soft, easy-to-chew foods.
 * Protect your mouth from spicy, sour, or crunchy foods.
 * Choose lukewarm foods and drinks instead of hot or icy-cold.
 * Avoid alcoholic drinks.


 * Keep trying (Quit using tobacco)


 * Ask your cancer care team to help you stop smoking or chewing tobacco.
 * People who quit smoking or chewing tobacco have fewer mouth problems.

Source

 * NIDCR: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research