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Breast cancer/Radiation/Tooth Problems
I have had BC twice and radiation twice. I am just coming onto 5 years from the second cancer and my teeth are starting to give me real bad problems. A tooth broke and I had to have it pulled because part of it was below the gum line. I opted for an implant and when I just went for the X-ray for that yesterday, the surgeon told me that I have bone loss in the roots of two teeth and that I need to see a periodontist. No one throughout both bouts of BC with radiation including oncologists (4) have told me that I could have dental issues because of the radiation. I am interested in hearing from people that have been lucky enough to have their doctor/doctors give them a heads up and I would also like to hear of other peoples’ experiences dealing with dental issues possibly due to radiation, especially if the issues have been real concerning like mine.
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Yes, you are not alone! I had six weeks radiation for BC. Now, I am having all my teeth pulled! $ 45,000, nightmare! The pain of BC, made worse by Shaw Cancer, and the oncologists not informing me of dental loss! I am seeking an attorney. Hang in there, bless you.
So, would you have opted out of radiation if the oncologists had told you about the possibility of dental issues?
Just my opinion but I would rather lose my teeth than my life with breast cancer.
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1 ReactionMy dx BC was mild. There are options other than radiation. I was never at risk of imminent death. The pain and expense, of dental work, has been worse than dx of BC.
I am still in the middle of this. Diagnosed March 2023. Went through surgery and because of positive oncotype went through chemo and radiation. They told me no dental work during chemo because it would (and did) cause mouth problems. While better, this never cleared completely - ulcers and sores, swelling of mucus membranes, slightly dry mouth still occur and lower teeth moved which changed my bite. I did have a broken crown that happened at the beginning of all this and went to the dentist right at the end of radiation - no other problems noted at that time. Over the last year, I broke a tooth and went to have it looked at and they now find periodontal disease (which I have never had before and I’m 73), another cracked tooth and another which is starting to show some separation. I’m in the middle of about 6000.00 worth of dental work. I’m not sure it was the radiation but consider the chemo to have started it and the ai has continued to cause deterioration. Not yet on bone meds, declined last year because only mild osteopenia. Next dexa scan in May and I’ll have to decide then but really concerned about those meds and what further damage they’ll do.