Cancer and What You Need to Know about Your Oral Health

If we were to ask you if you think that cancer affects your oral health, what would you say? Most people think that cancer simply affects the area of the body where it is located, but this is incorrect. In fact, more than one-third of all cancer patients develop a variety of complications and symptoms that will affect their mouth and teeth. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has stated that the above claim is true. Patients who undergo cancer treatments will experience symptoms that are either severe, mild, or somewhere in between. Some of the dental affects cancer can have on you includes:

• Infections
• Sensitive gums
• Jaw pain
• Sores within the mouth
• Dry mouth

It is vital that you take care of your oral health while you undergo cancer treatments. You should receive a dental exam once every six months and sometimes more often if you develop oral cancer. If you have been diagnosed with cancer or if you are receiving cancer treatments, contact Access Dental Care in Reno today to discuss your options and to learn more about your oral health.

Your Mouth is Affected by Cancer

Both cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can have a negative effect on your mouth and body throughout the entire treatment. Not only that, your immune system may be compromised too. If your mouth has not received dental care in a while and is not healthy prior to your cancer treatments, you may experience severe symptoms. In fact, you are likely to develop infections more often.

If you happen to develop an infection, it can turn into a severe infection that requires immediate attention. If this happens, you may not be able to receive your needed cancer treatment until the infection is healed.

If you receive radiation therapy, it can be hard on your body and you may experience unwanted side effects from it. When radiation is applied to the neck and head area, it can damage the salivary glands in your mouth and lead to dry mouth and also thick saliva. Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and infection as well.

Take These Three Steps to Ensure Your Gums and Teeth Stay Healthy

Taking care of your mouth before, during, and after you receive cancer treatment is important and will help lower your chances of developing any type of infections. Below, we will go over some tips to help you throughout each phase of the process.

Before Treatment

Before you have any treatments performed, it is important that you come into Access Dental Care to receive a checkup. This checkup will go over your oral health and Dr. Song will be able to discuss any issues that he notices with you.

We will provide you with any and all treatments that we can before you receive your cancer treatments. This way, any existing oral issues will not progress any further.

Next, you do need to make sure that you brush your teeth twice per day every day with a quality fluoride toothpaste. If you do not know what toothpaste is best for your teeth, you should talk with Dr. Song, as he will be able to recommend the best brands to you. In addition, you want to make sure you floss your teeth at least twice per day to remove any food that may become trapped between your teeth. Flossing is a preventative measure that can help fight against cavity formation.

If you do smoke tobacco, now is the time to quit. Not only does tobacco make your teeth yellow and give you bad breath, it can hinder your heal time from your cancer treatments and it can lead to mouth, tongue, or throat cancer. We know that it is difficult to stop this bad habit, but once you do, you will feel healthier and better overall.

Next, you want to make sure you avoid eating foods that are high in sugar and starch. Your diet should be nutritious and packed with water to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Starches and sugars are the perfect breeding ground for plaque and can lead to cavities.

Lastly, rinse your mouth out after every meal or drink that you consume. This will help keep plaque off of your teeth, which will ultimately prevent cavities and gum disease.

During Treatment

During your treatment period, you want to communicate with both your Reno dentist and your primary care physician about your care. You may experience a wide variety of symptoms that range in severity.

When it comes to your dental health during treatment, Dr. Song is here to help you and sit down with you to educate you about your available options. We will communicate with you and provide you with the best care we can.

Some of the oral symptoms you may develop during cancer treatment include:

• Infections
• Mouth sores
• Dry mouth
• Sensitive gums
• Jaw pain

If you have any of these symptoms, contact Access Dental Care now to schedule an appointment with Dr. Song.

After Treatment

Once you have completed your treatment, you want to resume the same steps you took as you prepared your oral health before your treatment. To recap, you should:

• Brush your teeth twice per day
• Have regular Reno dental checkups
• Floss your teeth twice per day
• Eat a nutritious diet
• Rinse out your mouth after meals
• Avoid tobacco

What Foods Should I Consume?

When we mention that you need to eat a nutritious diet, we want you to focus on healthier food options and not on starches and sugars. Some of the foods you can enjoy include:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Protein
• Seafood
• Low-fat dairy
• Beans
• Grains
• Eggs
• Legumes

Schedule an Appointment with Your Reno Dentist

If you are planning on having cancer treatments performed or you simply would like to discuss how we can handle your oral health during a cancer treatment, contact our office now to schedule an appointment with us. Dr. Song is always ready to speak with you and we look forward to seeing you here in our office.