Fighting cancer means facing not only the reality of the disease but also the side effects of the cancer treatment you choose. The task of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells as well as destroy healthy cells necessary for basic human functions.
Chemotherapy generally causes a long list of side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, infection and fever, itchy skin and intestinal problems. Especially your dental health can definitely stay in the background while receiving chemotherapy. This is because the job of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells, but healthy cells are unfortunately also in the firing line. It is important that you are aware of this and take the necessary precautions before starting treatment.
Basically, chemotherapy slows or stops the growth of fast-growing cells. Cancer cells are essentially fast growing cells. However, normal cells in the inner surface of the mouth also multiply rapidly. This means that any treatment against cancer can also stop them from growing. This slows down the oral tissue’s ability to repair itself by making new cells.
What’s Happening Inside Your Mouth?
Inside your mouth is (mainly) a healthy mix of good bacteria. There are also harmful bacteria. Chemotherapy can cause changes in the lining of the mouth and salivary glands. This, in turn, can upset the balance of healthy bacteria, which can lead to mouth sores, infections and tooth decay. You may have trouble eating, chewing, swallowing, or even speaking.
You are more likely to get an infection inside your mouth, which can be dangerous when undergoing cancer treatment.
Here is a list of oral symptoms or side effects caused by cancer or its treatment:
.Dry mouth.
.Thickened saliva.
.Changes in taste.
.Oral sores.
.Tooth decay.
.Difficulty swallowing.
.Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth.
.Infection.
.Bone disease.
.Inflammation or pain in the lining of the mouth and tongue.
Higher Risk of Tooth Decay or Gum Disease
If you can’t produce enough saliva due to cancer treatment, plaque can build up on your teeth more easily. Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
In an internationally published medical article, three researchers examined changes in the oral flora during chemotherapy and its effects on the development of oral cavity infections. Gram-negative rods (bacteria that cause infections) have been found to be present in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Researchers studied two leukemia patients who developed oral ulcers while taking antibiotics. The antibiotic treatment didn’t seem to be doing its job. This study, which saves you from academic noise, makes it clear that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can develop all sorts of oral health problems.
Children Can Also Be Affected
Chemotherapy causes other side effects in children, depending on the child’s age. The most common side effect is dental problems. Permanent teeth may erupt slowly and look different from normal teeth. The child’s teeth may also fall out. It is important that the pediatric dentist checks your child’s jaw for any growth problems. Teeth that are or may be loose during chemotherapy treatment should be extracted by the dentist before chemotherapy.
While all of the above may sound absolutely awful (as if dealing with cancer wasn’t traumatic enough), there are some remedies, precautions, and treatments you can use for these mouth and mouth problems caused by chemotherapy.
What Should You Do?
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. If you maintained your dental health before receiving chemotherapy, you will have a lower risk of developing the side effects mentioned above. .Visit your dentist at least one month before starting any anti-cancer treatment so that any possible infection or irritation can be treated.
.If you are wearing braces, it is convenient to remove them before treatment. These can really irritate your cheeks and tongue in their already fragile state.
If the pain caused by mouth sores, broken teeth, or sensitive gums becomes unbearable, seek pain relief from your doctor.
.If you have dentures, make sure they fit well and fit snugly and do not irritate your mouth in any way.
.Smoking or using any other tobacco product is prohibited.
.Drink plenty of fluids. This will aid in saliva production.
.Ask your healthcare team about fluoride rinses and gels. These can strengthen your teeth.
.Make sure any dental issues such as decayed, broken or infected teeth are resolved.
.Keep communication with your dentist and oncologist open and honest. It’s also important for your dentist to talk to your oncologist to make sure any dental treatment you receive is safe for you.
.Replace your regular toothbrush with a soft, kid-sized toothbrush. Soak the toothbrush in warm water to soften the bristles. Be kind. This also applies to flossing. If you have a lot of bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth, be sure to let your doctor know.
In addition;
Watch what you eat and drink. It may be wise to give up alcohol during this time as it can irritate your mouth with extremely hot, cold, spicy, acidic or crunchy foods. Sugar is the enemy that bacteria in your mouth use sugar for to survive, and this process produces acid that causes tooth decay.
Getting enough vitamin D and calcium each day helps keep your jaw and teeth strong and healthy.
Always have a bottle of cold water or sugar-free beverage nearby. This can help manage dry mouth. You can also suck on ice particles, not only will it keep your mouth moist from the inside, but it can also temporarily numb the pain.
When you find a good dentist, be sure to build a trusting relationship with him. The road to recovery can be challenging and you will need professionals you can trust.
