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

when I went through throat radiation 7 years ago my dentist made me some trays for my teeth. I put a fluoride gel on them and keep them in my mouth for an hour. I do that every 3-4 days and will continue forever. so far so good... Good luck!

Prior to radiation and chemo my oncologist insisted that my lower molars and wisdom teeth be extracted because he said we don’t want failure in a few years.
My dentist prescribed me a fluoride toothpaste which I use multiple times per day.
I also get fluoride treatments every 6 months during regular dental visits.
I’m closing on 7 years and so far so good!

MOJO

So you are saying you did not have your teeth removed, used fluoride and so far so good?
Usually only bad teeth are removed prior to radiotherapy.
Occasionally the bone where the teeth are seated will die, particularly the lower jaw or mandible. This is known as osteoradionecrosis. Then teeth issues begin and eventually have to be addressed because the roots of the teeth are sitting in dead bone and the tooth no longer can survive. This is not common but can happen and is repairable with some difficult surgery. On the bright side the recovery is much quicker than that of the actual cancer treatment previous.
Someday (soon) I may post a discussion about my mandible resection.

Hello@anonymous99, This is something I have been wondering about, as I finished radiation for throat cancer two years ago. The dentist told me my teeth look good, (and to use alot of fluoride daily) although if and when they fail, it begins with the roots turning black. A nurse related that in her opinion, if no blackness has begun in two years time, my teeth should be fine. Can you say for sure after ten years that it is the radiation that is causing your teeth to fail now? My fear is that in a few years (God-willing) I will go on Medicare. The insurance I have now has good dental, but Medicare goes only so far. Would that even cover Hyperbaric chambers, as the cost would be enormous. Thank-you, for any answer you can give.

My teeth were good but my oncologist had them extracted to avoid a costly future.

MOJO

My teeth were good but my oncologist had them extracted to avoid a costly future.

MOJO

I'm willing to bet that no insurance will cover the hyperbaric chambers. Because of the cost. My teeth were in good condition when I got sick. oct of 2014. I was put on the fluoride treatments. I use prescription fluoride and the tray that they made for me. I asked to have my teeth removed then and dentures. They refused. After all of these years I'm finding that I'm having small problems. Small cavities . Also had three root canals at a mere $1200.00 each. CASH. I have paid cash for all of my dental. Neither the dentist or the specialist accepts any insurance I've had. YAY. My radiation doctor says absolutely no removal of my teeth. Radiation softens the bones. Also if you find that your mouth is dry I recommend using Biotene dry mouth gel. If you have the tray from your dentist that you use for the fluoride then you can use this at night too. I put some of the biotene in the trays "smear it in" and I sleep with the trays in. The dryness overnight can also help cause tooth decay. I've been doing this for years and I really believe that this has helped me. Biotene doesn't contain any sugar and is flavor free. I've tried using it without the trays and it just disappears in no time. I use fluoride before bed and do this after the treatments. I've been doing this since Jan of 2015. Not sure if this will help anyone but it sure can't hurt. good luck with those teeth.

I will soon be 75 years old, at the end of normal life expectancy for a white male in the US. Before starting treatment, I asked my oncologist if the benefits were going to be worth the side effects. There is no way of knowing of course. I'm just about to begin my third chemo session, but I have already experienced a lot of pain, and lost most of my hearing. I keep hearing about people losing their teeth. I have never had but one cavity, so I'm not willing to remove any tooth that doesn't cause chronic pain. There is so much that I don't know, but only God knows the end from the beginning. I only hope that the side effects don't get any worse. At least I didn't need surgery or radiation.

My teeth were good but my oncologist had them extracted to avoid a costly future.

MOJO