Head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy can dry the mouth, cause sores and make teeth more fragile. Treating dental problems beforehand helps avoid many troubles later.
- A dental check and treatment of necessary problems before radiotherapy or chemotherapy is advised whenever time allows.
- Head and neck radiotherapy dries the mouth, makes the lining prone to sores and slows jawbone healing, so teeth need early preparation.
- During treatment, brush gently, rinse with saline and keep the mouth moist.
- Any decision to keep or remove a tooth should be coordinated between the dentist and the cancer doctor.
When people learn they need radiotherapy or chemotherapy, most patients and families focus only on the main illness and forget the mouth. In reality the mouth takes a lot of the impact of treatment, and untreated dental problems can become a source of infection just when the body is at its weakest.
Why see a dentist before treatment starts?
Radiotherapy to the head and neck reduces saliva, dries the mouth, makes the lining prone to sores and slows healing of the jawbone. Chemotherapy can lower resistance and cause mouth ulcers. If there are decayed or loose teeth, retained roots or inflamed gums, these infected spots can flare up during treatment.
For this reason cancer doctors often advise patients to have a dental check and deal with necessary problems before treatment begins, if time allows.
What will the dentist do?
- Check all teeth, gums and the lining of the mouth, with an X-ray when needed.
- Clean off tartar, treat gum inflammation and fill decayed teeth that can be kept.
- Consider removing teeth that cannot be saved, especially in the area to be irradiated, and usually allow time for healing before the main treatment.
Every decision should be discussed with the cancer doctor so the timing suits the treatment plan.
Caring for the mouth during treatment
- Brush gently twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse often with plain saline and avoid alcohol based mouthwash that can sting.
- Take small sips of water, keep the mouth moist and avoid spicy, hot or hard food.
- People who wear dentures should take them out when the mouth is sore and keep them very clean.
When should you tell the doctor straight away?
Please report at once if mouth sores spread so that eating becomes impossible, gums bleed and will not stop, the jaw becomes swollen and painful, or a fever comes with a toothache. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Please bring your treatment documents and walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask first. The exact treatment is always decided by the dentist after an examination.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only notice a toothache after radiotherapy has started?
Tell both your cancer doctor and your dentist right away. Dental care during radiotherapy needs careful coordination, so do not take medicine or have a tooth pulled on your own.
Does chemotherapy make teeth decay faster?
Chemotherapy does not directly damage teeth, but a dry mouth, sores and lower resistance let decay and gum disease progress more easily. Careful mouth hygiene is very important.
Should all weak teeth be pulled before radiotherapy?
No. A dentist only considers removing teeth that cannot be kept, and treats those that can. The decision must be agreed with the main treating doctor.