thickening of the cheek tissue and teeth

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ratface
ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Lately I have been noticing that my cheeks have gotten thicker on the inside. They come to rest right on the teeth which causes irritation to the mouth lining and sometimes small sores. I assume this is related to the radiation. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this. I have also noticed that my incisors now rest on the front mouth lining and again sometimes nick the inside of the mouth. Fighting the inevitable tooth degeneration battle here. I had a crown done about a month ago and it's still tender to bite on that site. Looking for any similar experiences and remedies to combat the ongoing tooth, cheek, and gum issues. I brush and have the flouride trays, and use a water pik but all that seems to have little benefit as I can see plaque building at the base of the teeth.

I would also be interested if anyone has had a tooth extracted without hyperbaric treatment, was that your radiation side and did the site heal correctly?
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  • Landranger25
    Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
    #2
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    Somewhat Similar
    Hi Ratface. I am now 15 months post 33 rads to both sides of neck and the 3 chemos. Shortly after my rads I had broken a molar and am due for a crown within the next month. I go tomorrow for a cavity on the opposite side of the broken molar. I brush and floss everyday and still use biotene to rinse. The inside of my cheeks are also a little "funky" in that if I am not careful I sometimes bite the inside of my cheek. Of course, once that happens it makes it even worse for the next few days. I don't notice any difference with my incisors and nearby tissue. My dentist says my mouth looks perfectly like a normal mouth to him but he is very aware of my issues. I have done the flouride tray at the dentist but don't use a water pik. At my cleaning a couple weeks ago the hygenist had only minimal plaque to remove. (She was happy about that as apparently some people it is quite a job) Anyways, wish I could be more help but bottom line all things considered my after treatment issues are very minimal to deal with. Take care.

    Regards, Mike
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Hi ratface
    I have the same problem I think and I am now biting my self on the inside of the mouth by the molars, I will be seeing my Dentist at MD Anderson on the 20th and hope he can tell me what to do about it.

    Radaition affects never stop

    Take care
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
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    I will probably have to have
    I will probably have to have a tooth pulled with out the HBOT too. I just had four more teeth filled last week and I go back tomorrow for more to be filled. I'm not sure what going on but something hurts where he filled and my left eye is still sort of swollen underneath. My teeth are a mess and I use trays every day and brush five times a day and floss. My mouth is too damn dry. I am also constantly biting my cheeks and lips.

    I am so terrified of the thought of them pulling that tooth and it not heeling. I would like to know if any one had that done as well.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
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    sweetblood22 said:

    I will probably have to have
    I will probably have to have a tooth pulled with out the HBOT too. I just had four more teeth filled last week and I go back tomorrow for more to be filled. I'm not sure what going on but something hurts where he filled and my left eye is still sort of swollen underneath. My teeth are a mess and I use trays every day and brush five times a day and floss. My mouth is too damn dry. I am also constantly biting my cheeks and lips.

    I am so terrified of the thought of them pulling that tooth and it not heeling. I would like to know if any one had that done as well.

    Hi Sweet
    I know what you means, you would think they could get it right the first time now and then.
  • Army_Guy
    Army_Guy Member Posts: 53
    #6
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    Thickening of the cheeks...
    I too have found that I bite my cheek often and it takes time to heal. I am on a strict dental protocol: brush and floss after EVERY meal and use fluoride trays at night. I rinse with Biotene a couple of times a day and absolutely hate the dry mouth. Hopefully it will subside since one of my salivary glands was surgically relocated to under my chin to save it (I am 5 months post-treatment today!). I received radiation twice daily for six weeks (56 treatments in all) and Cisplatin chemo once per week so I am thankful that my teeth didn't disintigrate! I see my dentist every 6 months and a periodontist every six months because I have had some gum recession problems in the past (results of 3 tours in Vietnam and being in situations where I couldn't brush my teeth properly for days...problems since the mid-1970's). All of this seems to be working and the Biotene products seem to help the dry mouth problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    Army_Guy
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
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    Army_Guy said:

    Thickening of the cheeks...
    I too have found that I bite my cheek often and it takes time to heal. I am on a strict dental protocol: brush and floss after EVERY meal and use fluoride trays at night. I rinse with Biotene a couple of times a day and absolutely hate the dry mouth. Hopefully it will subside since one of my salivary glands was surgically relocated to under my chin to save it (I am 5 months post-treatment today!). I received radiation twice daily for six weeks (56 treatments in all) and Cisplatin chemo once per week so I am thankful that my teeth didn't disintigrate! I see my dentist every 6 months and a periodontist every six months because I have had some gum recession problems in the past (results of 3 tours in Vietnam and being in situations where I couldn't brush my teeth properly for days...problems since the mid-1970's). All of this seems to be working and the Biotene products seem to help the dry mouth problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    Army_Guy

    Wow, army guy, you had your
    Wow, army guy, you had your salivary gland relocated?! Thats pretty amazing. My tumor was attached to my jaw bone and my submandibular on the left side so they took out that salivary gland. Then of course what's left was fried with the rads. Glad you're teeth are doing ok so far. Hope that continues for you.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #8
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    GC Mousse
    Hi Ratface,

    For teeth preservation, I was put on and now use GC Mousse 'every night' at bedtime. You just smear a small amount all over your teeth and esp the gum/tooth border.

    I also got myself 'Sonic' toothbrush (Mine is an Oral B)which is brilliant, gives the best clean I have experienced with less physical abrasion of the gums as the stuff actually get vibrated out from betwen you teeth. It is so good, I bought one each for all members of my family for Christmas.

    Hope this helps.

    PS Happy New Year everyone.

    Scam
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #9
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    RF
    I had a tooth extracted without HBT (molar on right side, where the tongue cancer was and where the rad neck dissection was performed, ie, where my inner mouth seems most fascinating to dentists and medical interns alike :)). In my case, because of trismus (mouth doesn't open as much as it used to...which some consider a blessing, incidentally :)), I had to go to an oral surgeon, who could use panoramic xrays and put me under for the procedure. As I recall, my otherwise excellent dental insurance did not cover this one.

    Best wishes, my friend.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
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    soccerfreaks said:

    RF
    I had a tooth extracted without HBT (molar on right side, where the tongue cancer was and where the rad neck dissection was performed, ie, where my inner mouth seems most fascinating to dentists and medical interns alike :)). In my case, because of trismus (mouth doesn't open as much as it used to...which some consider a blessing, incidentally :)), I had to go to an oral surgeon, who could use panoramic xrays and put me under for the procedure. As I recall, my otherwise excellent dental insurance did not cover this one.

    Best wishes, my friend.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Joe, it healed up ok? And
    Joe, it healed up ok? And how long did it take to heal?
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
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    Chewing Gum

    I love to chew gum but every time now I always bit my Inner Cheek; but only on the right side, not sure why. Maybe I am getting fat only on one side !!!!
  • fsdman
    fsdman Member Posts: 51
    #12
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    Hondo said:

    Chewing Gum

    I love to chew gum but every time now I always bit my Inner Cheek; but only on the right side, not sure why. Maybe I am getting fat only on one side !!!!

    I have been biting cheek on
    I have been biting cheek on right side .Hurts like hell and bleeds.Had no idea the treatments thicken cheeks. Just thought it was an accidental bite.Interesting-are our cheeks really thicker? Perhaps our jaw muscles now work differently?
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #13
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    Scambuster said:

    GC Mousse
    Hi Ratface,

    For teeth preservation, I was put on and now use GC Mousse 'every night' at bedtime. You just smear a small amount all over your teeth and esp the gum/tooth border.

    I also got myself 'Sonic' toothbrush (Mine is an Oral B)which is brilliant, gives the best clean I have experienced with less physical abrasion of the gums as the stuff actually get vibrated out from betwen you teeth. It is so good, I bought one each for all members of my family for Christmas.

    Hope this helps.

    PS Happy New Year everyone.

    Scam

    Hi Scan

    I like the Sonic toothbrush my wife using one, I can’t use it because I can’t get the mouth open wide enough for it to fit, I have to use a soft brush so it can fit between the teeth.

    Such is life, take care my friend
    Hondo
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #14
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    fsdman said:

    I have been biting cheek on
    I have been biting cheek on right side .Hurts like hell and bleeds.Had no idea the treatments thicken cheeks. Just thought it was an accidental bite.Interesting-are our cheeks really thicker? Perhaps our jaw muscles now work differently?

    Bite Me
    Take a closer look along the back molars. The cheek tissue is resting right alongside the the gumline as it also does on the front incisors. I must say I am relieved that it is such a common problem. Who would think this is the cancer that leads you to bite yourself!

    Joe, same question as Sweet, how did the healing go?
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #15
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    Thanks A Lot, Ratface
    Now I'm wanting to run out to the store and buy some fat calipers to measure my cheeks. My docs did not mention the possiblity of thickening, but it certainly makes sense. I didnt' bite my cheek until after the neck dissection - still have swelling. For me, it's only happened a couple times, and hasn't been bad. Good luck
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #16
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    Pam M said:

    Thanks A Lot, Ratface
    Now I'm wanting to run out to the store and buy some fat calipers to measure my cheeks. My docs did not mention the possiblity of thickening, but it certainly makes sense. I didnt' bite my cheek until after the neck dissection - still have swelling. For me, it's only happened a couple times, and hasn't been bad. Good luck

    True, Pam. For me the back
    True, Pam. For me the back teeth aren't as bad with biting my cheeks. I seldom bite them back there, but I do. I often, frequently, bite the front left bottom lip where the paralysis is from the neck dissection.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #17
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    sweetblood22 said:

    True, Pam. For me the back
    True, Pam. For me the back teeth aren't as bad with biting my cheeks. I seldom bite them back there, but I do. I often, frequently, bite the front left bottom lip where the paralysis is from the neck dissection.

    teeth
    Two crowns since treatment (the first with a root canal), and at least two more in the next year. As for the back teeth- chew back there as much with my gums as the teeth, it seems! Can see why people with marginal teeth going into treatment often get their teeth pulled, like my Cousin did. Sure woulda been nice to be forewarned about going-in.

    kcass
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #18
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    Kent Cass said:

    teeth
    Two crowns since treatment (the first with a root canal), and at least two more in the next year. As for the back teeth- chew back there as much with my gums as the teeth, it seems! Can see why people with marginal teeth going into treatment often get their teeth pulled, like my Cousin did. Sure woulda been nice to be forewarned about going-in.

    kcass

    Cheeks
    David showed me the other day the inside of his cheecks are swollen and fat looking, Ent said he thought it was from the rdiation treatments, the lymph fluid not moving it on. His cheeks and throat has the turkey neck look. I think this is normal for a while. He said it would over time go away. Lets hope so.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #19
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    terryscarlett said:

    Cheeks
    David showed me the other day the inside of his cheecks are swollen and fat looking, Ent said he thought it was from the rdiation treatments, the lymph fluid not moving it on. His cheeks and throat has the turkey neck look. I think this is normal for a while. He said it would over time go away. Lets hope so.

    Hey Joe aka soccerfreaks!!
    Today he only worked on the one bad tooth that he thinks may need to come out. He said it was very bad and he did what he could for that back tooth, but that I'm "not going to take that tooth to my grave". I took them two hours to do that tooth. He said he hopes it doesn't give me any problems and he packed it with medicine and he is hoping he bought me some time.

    I'm topping this because Joe (soccerfreaks) didn't answer my question about how that tooth healed when he didn't have HBO treatments. Please pray that this tooth holds out. :( I still have four or five more teeth left to do. I think.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #20
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    sweetblood22 said:

    Hey Joe aka soccerfreaks!!
    Today he only worked on the one bad tooth that he thinks may need to come out. He said it was very bad and he did what he could for that back tooth, but that I'm "not going to take that tooth to my grave". I took them two hours to do that tooth. He said he hopes it doesn't give me any problems and he packed it with medicine and he is hoping he bought me some time.

    I'm topping this because Joe (soccerfreaks) didn't answer my question about how that tooth healed when he didn't have HBO treatments. Please pray that this tooth holds out. :( I still have four or five more teeth left to do. I think.

    Possible alternative
    Hi Sweet

    I'm in the same situation, have a back molar #19, that keeps getting an abscess and has been identified by x-ray as needing to come out. Dentist recommended Hyperbaric (20-10) Twenty before and 10 after. I resisted as I thought it overkill for just one tooth extraction. It does have positive merits though and I would go if I had to. The molar is on my opposite radiation side. After conferring between dentist and Radiologist doctor the dentist has conceded to try an extraction with an unconventional method. He took an impression yesterday and is going to build a type of platform on the adjacent molar to rig up a 'jacking device " of sorts and hopefully gently ease the tooth out. The problem with conventional extraction is that sometimes significant tissue damage can occur or a piece can break off in the gum. I'll let the board know how it works out.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #21
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    ratface said:

    Possible alternative
    Hi Sweet

    I'm in the same situation, have a back molar #19, that keeps getting an abscess and has been identified by x-ray as needing to come out. Dentist recommended Hyperbaric (20-10) Twenty before and 10 after. I resisted as I thought it overkill for just one tooth extraction. It does have positive merits though and I would go if I had to. The molar is on my opposite radiation side. After conferring between dentist and Radiologist doctor the dentist has conceded to try an extraction with an unconventional method. He took an impression yesterday and is going to build a type of platform on the adjacent molar to rig up a 'jacking device " of sorts and hopefully gently ease the tooth out. The problem with conventional extraction is that sometimes significant tissue damage can occur or a piece can break off in the gum. I'll let the board know how it works out.

    Same stupid tooth.
    Tooth number 19 is the one that is giving me problems! That is the side I had the dissection on tho. I have no insurance tho so I can't afford the HBO treatments. Does anyone Know if it is something that would be covered when my Medicaid finally kicks in?

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