1. < Head & Neck Cancer

How do you care for teeth and dental health after H&N cancer?

Posted by anonymous99 @anonymous99, Feb 16, 2022

Hi there. I am ten years out from base of the tongue and throat cancer. I have been filling my teeth for all these years but now some of my teeth are starting to fail. I met with a local oral surgeon who recommended the oxygen therapy and then to continue to pull the problem teeth with dentures being the only long term option for me. I’m wondering if anyone has had similar experiences or have been provided with alternative options. Thanks!

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roblem | @roblem | Mar 31 3:07pm
In reply to @jw9 "Fluoride Mouthwash , a prescription strength every morning and every night after brushing. When I was..." + (show)
@jw9

Fluoride Mouthwash , a prescription strength every morning and every night after brushing. When I was in the ENT waiting room post op, the people who had head and neck surgeries told me I would lose my teeth! I was only 34! My radiation oncologist told me about the fluoride mouthwash. It's been 25 years and I don't miss it. My teeth are great so far.
Not missing dental cleanings is the other part of this story. My challenge is with dry mouth from the parotidectomy, radiation and autoimmune illness combined. I live with Sjogrens Syndrome. I find in time, once I have information, I learn to cope with all that chronic illness brings. Anything from my cancer treatment, only causes me to be grateful I'm alive and dealing with these things.

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Hi @jw9,
I had 35 rounds (7weeks) of Photon radiation for a total of 70Gy and 3 rounds of cisplatin chemo for tonsil cancer back in 2008 but no surgery and to help with the brutal dry mouth tried Electrical Stimulation Acupuncture in 2015 which was offered at my cancer clinic for head & neck cancer patients. I was tested to get a baseline and retested after 8-10 appts. and had great results. Never needed to go back and to this day 10 yrs. later dry mouth is a non-issue and I don't have to carry a water bottle with me either. I also slept with a bottle of water next to me and got a Humidifier on my end table to make sure there was the most moisture possible in my bedroom to help get some sleep.

I got this from my other cancer group SPOHNC and it mention AQUAx2 which is a clinical research study for people with moderate/ severe dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by radiation therapy purpose is to assess the efficacy and safety of "gene transfer" study drug called AAV2-hAQP1.

In addition, I didn't have this available to me but others on this support group site have mentioned “Xylimelts Stick-On Melts” you can buy off Amazon and the box of 40 was less that 10 bucks. People say they really work, and they sleep through the night. And their daytime dryness is much better also. You should research using for extended period of time effects. Also, Biotene spray is effective long time after 2 or 3 sprays! And more recently there is a Aquoral Protective Oral Spray- Dry Mouth Relief which is more than temporary relief of dry mouth. Or a prescription of Cevimeline.

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