Warren, Michigan Dentist Discusses Complications in Cancer Therapy
Hi. I’m Dr. Greg Apsey here in Warren, Michigan. You can reach us at 586-573-7700. I’d like to speak today about the complications that most people have during cancer therapy and strategies for helping people through that difficult time. First of all, during cancer therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and also bone marrow transplant; there are usually changes that occur in the mouth which will include drying of the mouth, a burning sensation and sores, the development of sores in the mouth.
Secondly while you were going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy or a bone marrow transplant there’s a diminishment of the body’s immune function and when that happens you’re less able to fight off any sorts of infections, gum infections or tooth infections, that sort of thing. So what we recommend is that if you know you this is the sort of therapy that’s planned out, a month in advance of the beginning of that therapy, at least a month in advance, you should visit with your dentist and the purpose of that visit is to assess your overall health of your mouth.
It is the best time to be planning out and taking care of any dental issues including tooth decay, gum disease, treatments, root canals, extractions, anything that is necessary to have done that might lead you to more serious issues during your cancer therapy should be taken care of prior to going into that chemo or radiation or bone marrow transplant that’s going to be done. That way when you’re in treatment you’re not, you’re going to be dealing with a lot, you’re only going to be focused on your cancer therapy, you’re not going to worry as much about an infected tooth that then has to be handle when you’re not able to fight off infection and that sort of thing.
It’s very critically important to take care of things in advance. It’s also very critical while you go through this therapy that you are maintaining a good, healthy mouth. You should be using a very soft toothbrush, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day and continuing to floss your teeth during that period of time. These recommendations will help you and so those are my points for today. Thank you so much for listening.
Warren, Michigan Dentist Discusses Complications in Cancer Therapy
If you have further questions about complications in cancer therapy in dentistry, please contact our Warren office, (586) 573-7700 or visit our website drapseydds.com.