How long after radiation would you see teeth issues?

Hi @vickie1320. I believe a lot of the tooth issues develop from the decreased saliva production that a lot of head and neck radiation patients have. So the standard they say is 3 months on, depending on how your salivary glands produce. I have a dry mouth and my dentist immediately started a high fluoride toothpaste at night and a weekly fluoride treatment with dental trays that were made from molds. I have had no bad problems in 13 years and continue to fight the dry mouth from having my Parotid salivary gland removed with initial surgery. I have some gum recession but is that age or radiation? I will continue these preventative treatments forever to help to avoid future tooth issues.

I met with my dentist before treatment. He made molds of my teeth for flouride. I use Gelcam flouride every evening.
I am having treatment to my thyroid. I do not have dry mouth. I do have mucous that I spit out.
I haven't had any oral issues yet.
Heading into week 6 of radiation and chemotherapy.
Take care.

Hey Vickie,
Oral hygiene is critical!
First thing in the morning I rinse, spit with as hot water as I can stand then I swallow and hack up the mucus. I repeat this until my throat and mouth are clear. I then brush with a quality toothpaste, rinse well and brush again with prescription fluoride toothpaste.
After my coffee and breakfast I repeat my rinse and brush ritual. But this time after the toothpaste I brush with sensodyne and my prescription fluoride and I don’t rinse, I just spit out the excess and allow the rest to stay in my mouth.
I repeat this after anything I eat and before going to bed.
I hope this helps

MOJO

I do love my waterpik. It is great for water flossing between teeth and keeping gums healthy.

I didn’t know that i was going to have teeth and ear problems. What next?

My question is can anything be done so I can drink and eat eventually?
Is there a surgery to help at least to drink liquids?

Virginia Creel

Hi @vgcreel and welcome to Connect. You may or may not have teeth or ear problems. A lot depends on the radiation treatments, where exactly, and of course you in particular. Every patient is different.
Can you drink and eat eventually? I should hope so although it may be difficult and painful at first. I should suspect you are currently on a feeding tube and you have recently finished treatment?
Check out some of the discussions in the Head and Neck group from the past few years and you will get a better understanding of what can happen and what you can do to work out problems. Everyone here is here to help or seeking help from current and former patients such as myself.
I would recommend you start your own discussion with the very questions you have asked here along with additional information such as type of cancer, location, treatments, timeline, and issues. Could you do that for me please?

Hey Virginia,
I was on feeding tube for nearly a year. I could barely get small sips of water down my throat.
I finally was able to get oatmeal down and made the decision to get the tube removed. I ate oatmeal 3 times a day for several months before I could get solid food down.
As for surgery: my Gastrointestinal Doctor dilated my Esophagus 3 times. It did help but he doesn’t seem to think it will help to do it again. You may want to ask your oncologist about that and if you’re over 50 I would suggest a Colonoscopy and have the Gastroenterologist take care of the Esophagus while you’re undergoing the procedure…just a thought? Oh and yes they will not use the same device for the two lol!
Now at 8 1/2 years out I still need plenty of liquid to get my food down my throat.
I am careful about what I eat when I’m alone because I choke at times.
Sometimes I forget but taking a deep breath before swallowing is a must. If food gets caught the lungs have enough air to push the food out…usually! I have had many close calls and it’s not a good feeling! One time my wife was about to help me and here came our Dutch Shepherd, he ran up and thrusted his front paws on my back and the food shot out like a bullet! Divine intervention is what I call it!
Anyway, don’t give up and don’t rush it. As for therapy; I stopped going to a speech therapist after a month because she was a waste of money and had zero understanding of my situation. She expected me to force food down and my body just wasn’t ready, my oncologist supported my decision.
Hope this helps
MOJO

I have thyroid cancer the tumor is still alive but not growing, I guess because of the cancer meds I am currently taking. I can swallow liquids but l cough until it comes up, which is no fun.
I am 75 years old and have had the feeding tube for 3 years. Is there anything that can be done to allow me to swollen liquids at least. I am dying for a big glass of water.

Thanks, Virginia

I am so sorry you are experiencing this. It must be terrible.
First have you seen a speech pathologist? They can help and find the source as to why this is happening.

Hey Virginia, are you trying very small sips at a time? As for the cough itself, ask your doctor for Tessalon Perles(Benzonatate). I too suffered from the coughing and during one of my infusions my nurse went and got me a prescription of Tessalon Perle and what a relief!
I hope this helps
MOJO