I recently accompanied my husband to the dentist's office when he was working. As I sat in the waiting room, I noticed a gentleman who came to lugging her portable oxygen tank. I smiled at her as he took a seat next to mine.
We chatted while waiting for his appointment.
He said he was undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. Because chemotherapy treatments, he developed sores in the mouth that worsened his chemotherapy progressed.
Our conversation reminded me of the struggle my father with dental problems associated with chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Dad also had sores related to chemotherapy on the roof of her mouth and into her cheeks, as well as problems with his tongue.
Sometimes his dental condition deteriorating eating and swallowing difficult. Sometimes he struggled to speak.
dental health problems associated with chemotherapy
I researched the affections of my father and discovered oral problems are a common side effect of chemotherapy.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in August 2013 published "Chemotherapy and Your Mouth" as part of an oral health campaign. The brochure explains how chemotherapy affects mouth of a patient, warned against food a cancer patient should avoid and the importance of regular visits to the dentist.
If my father had been aware of the link between oral problems and chemotherapy, he could have avoided some of its painful oral conditions and in turn, better maintained her weight.
symptoms associated with oral health problems
chemotherapy kills cancer cells, but it can also be harmful to normal, healthy cells in the body.
Approximately 40 percent of people who undergo chemotherapy will experience oral health problems associated with their treatment, according NIDCR. Some of the side effects include:
- Pain in the mouth and gums areas
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Swelling and burning on language
- potential infections
- changes in sense of taste
symptoms can worsen with higher doses of chemotherapy.
Difficulty eating is common for people during chemotherapy, and is also often associated with nausea. I do not know many people undergoing chemotherapy experience weight loss due to oral health problems exacerbated.
Tips to prevent and minimize oral health problems
The good news is that seeing your dentist before, during. and after your chemotherapy treatments can help minimize oral problems and avoid in some cases
You remember:
- Visit your dentist: to avoid serious health oral questions, it is important to consult your dentist about a month before the start of chemotherapy. Your dentist may want to take care of all necessary procedures such as extractions or filling cavities, before starting chemotherapy. A long month waiting period will give your mouth time to heal before starting treatment. If you have already started treatment, it is always important to see your dentist to avoid serious problems
- Avoid dry mouth :. When a person's mouth becomes too dry, the sores may develop. Unfortunately, eating and drinking fluids that replenish moisture, can induce nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. ice chips or chewing sugarless gum can be a better alternative to drinking water if you are experiencing nausea
- Keep your mouth clean. An impure mouth is a breeding ground for germs that create wounds. It is important to use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean your teeth, tongue and gums. toughest hairs can irritate the soft tissues
- Check toothpaste and mouthwash labels :. You want to choose a brand of toothpaste that contains fluoride to maintain your oral health. It is also important to avoid antiseptic mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can irritate already sensitive areas of the mouth. There are specific mouthwashes over-the-counter that prevent dry mouth associated with medical treatments like chemotherapy
- Rinse your mouth often :. Because the brush can be too irritating, rinse is a good alternative. Try rinsing with ¼ teaspoon of salt or 1 teaspoon table of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup water. After that spit, rinse with plain water
- Avoid irritants. Some foods and drinks can further irritate an already sore mouth. People experiencing symptoms may want to avoid spicy foods, delicate snacks (chips) and acidic foods (salsa and marinara sauce). Alcohol and tobacco also worsen irritation
- Check your dentures :. Wearing dentures can cause friction between dentures and gums. This friction can create wounds that become more painful during chemotherapy.
A few of the treatments against cancer my father required hospitalization, and it was during those trips when he had the worst oral symptoms.
His tongue became so irritated that he could not consume food or hardly speak. We had no idea of his oral health was so important in its treatment. I wonder what is the impact of seeing a dentist might have had for my father.
I know there were many times when the pain and oral symptoms could have been better managed.
Maintaining good oral health is always important, but it is imperative for people struggling mesothelioma and other cancers. Even if you have already started treatment, it may be beneficial to add your dentist to your health care team.
