How do you care for teeth and dental health after H&N cancer?
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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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.
I’ve had a similar experience after radiation, and one thing I learned is that dental care post-treatment can look very different from person to person. Some patients do well with long-term fluoride trays, while others face progressive root damage no matter how careful they are. The hyperbaric oxygen therapy your surgeon mentioned is often recommended before extractions to reduce the risk of osteoradionecrosis, but it doesn’t necessarily stop teeth from failing, it just helps with healing.
Another option that’s worth discussing with your care team is whether partials, implants (in certain cases), or advanced restorative work could be considered before moving straight to full dentures. Some clinics with experience in oncology-related dentistry, such as Indental Castle Hill: indentalcastlehill.com.au , focus on tailored care plans for patients who’ve had radiation and understand the complications that come with it. Even if dentures are the final step, exploring ways to maintain function and comfort for as long as possible can make a big difference.
I’d encourage you to ask for a second opinion from a dentist who has treated head and neck cancer survivors specifically. They can often provide a broader view of what’s realistic long-term.
I had radiation and cisplatin chemo back in 2017 for a stage 4 throat cancer. I started brushing and flossing and using the water pick after every meal or snack. I haven't had any problems. I notice my hygienist spends about 1/3rd the time cleaning my teeth that she did previously.
Hi, I had very sensitive teeth before treatment and are worse now. Is the waterpik sore to use on cold sensitive teeth?
Thank you
I'm no expert but the waterpik's pressure is fully adjustable, and you can always fill the little tank with water as warm as you'd like. Might be worth a try.
I use a waterpik every night with warm water and a small quantity of Crest mouthwash which doesn't contain alcohol. I brush after every meal. Every 3 months my dentist paints on fluoride. More aggressive fluoride can be done every evening before retiring with impression trays and fluoride paste. Fortunately my Advantage plan has $1700 a year benefit for dental work. My radiation and chemo was completed 16 months ago. So far so good tooth wise.