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

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Sep 24 12:02pm | Replies (23)
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@puddknocker

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.

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Replies to "I will soon be 75 years old, at the end of normal life expectancy for a..."
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Jul 12, 2023

Hi @puddknocker ,
The teeth issue is primarily because of the radiation effects on the teeth. This can be anything from gum and root damage, teeth filling explosions, root death commonly associated with mandible necrosis, or just plain healing issues if a tooth has to be extracted in the first couple years.
I certainly understand the decisions to be made as someone approaches the end of a good long life. We all must depart sooner or later because no one can beat the reaper and the sooner we come to grips with that sentiment the better. I'm all for a fight within reason.
We had a flying club called the Pudknockers. Later we changed it to the Propknockers and I always maintained it was so we could accept flyers who did not have a stick control airplane.
Good luck in your decisions.

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