Update on tooth decay drama

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PJ47
PJ47 Member Posts: 376
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi folks,

Well, I was correct,  the back edges of 5 teeth are eroding and starting to decay from lack of saliva killing the bacteria.  The plan is to get the decay out via drill (UGH), and then add composit bonding to seal them.  Have 2 new products to use at home now:  

1.  NeutraSal which is an electrolyte solution to treat oral mucositis and xerostoma.  It is a supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse.  

2.  Prevident 5000 enamel protect (my dentist says the over the counter enamel products are bogus).  

I have dental insurance, but even with it, the balance will be $525. My dentist is a love and will only charge me $125 co-pay.

He has found 2 patients with suspect mouth tumors since my last cleaning and check up the end of Jan.!  He is hypervigilant since I have had mine and is using his camera to pohtograph base of tongue areas.  I love that!  If he can save just one person...

Hope the tooth fairy is good to all, keep flossing, brushing, flouride traying etc.

PJ

 

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  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #2
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    Yep

    Yep, lack of saliva will do that. Anthing to keep the mouth moist is a good thing. Especially at night. A dentist can be your first line of defense. I just had a similar conversation with a hairdresser about how diligent she is in looking for signs of melanoma. She even used a man's cell phone to take a photo of a spot on his head so he would see his physician.  

     

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #3
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    Neutrasal

    Is the Neutrasal a prescription?  Does it have a minty flavor?  I just had my cleaning, still doing ok.  A few spots that they are watching.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #4
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    PJ, sorry to hear the teeth

    PJ, sorry to hear the teeth are decaying....yuk.  i hate the dentist.  what a wonderful dentist you have to only charge you $125!!  not too many doctors like that.  also wonderful that he checks for cancer during check ups.  i read an article where dentists are now being trained to do that with every visit/cleaning.  that's great to hear because it shows the word on H&N cancer is getting out there.  i hope you get the 5 teeth fixed without too much pain and that you won't have any more trouble.  btw, i love the pic of you, you look so happy!

    God bless,

    dj

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #5
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    KTeacher said:

    Neutrasal

    Is the Neutrasal a prescription?  Does it have a minty flavor?  I just had my cleaning, still doing ok.  A few spots that they are watching.

    It is a prescription

    Not minty tasting.  It is some kind of electrolyte balancing solution for the saliva.  Hoping it will help salvage my teeth.  I am also putting the prevident 5000 on a q tip and painting it on the edges of my teeth and staying away from my gums due to irritation..  Keeping my fingers crossed for the both of us.

    PJ

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #6
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    debbiejeanne said:

    PJ, sorry to hear the teeth

    PJ, sorry to hear the teeth are decaying....yuk.  i hate the dentist.  what a wonderful dentist you have to only charge you $125!!  not too many doctors like that.  also wonderful that he checks for cancer during check ups.  i read an article where dentists are now being trained to do that with every visit/cleaning.  that's great to hear because it shows the word on H&N cancer is getting out there.  i hope you get the 5 teeth fixed without too much pain and that you won't have any more trouble.  btw, i love the pic of you, you look so happy!

    God bless,

    dj

    Thanks DJ

    I look happy because I am standing behind my 92 yo mother in law and making silly bunny ears for her birthday.  Glad to be there with her, she is our last parent standing.

    Now, to be accurate, the $125 was what he charged me after my insurance pays him a resonable amount.  

    I am very happy he is finding lesions early on folks he sees.  I took my photo of my BOT tumor (pre biopsy) in to he and his partner so they would know what to look for in that area.  

    BTW, I am just thankful to even have teeth, as many in our group do not.  Got to count your blessings everyday,

    Take Care,

    PJ

     

     

     

     

     

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #7
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    PJ47 said:

    Thanks DJ

    I look happy because I am standing behind my 92 yo mother in law and making silly bunny ears for her birthday.  Glad to be there with her, she is our last parent standing.

    Now, to be accurate, the $125 was what he charged me after my insurance pays him a resonable amount.  

    I am very happy he is finding lesions early on folks he sees.  I took my photo of my BOT tumor (pre biopsy) in to he and his partner so they would know what to look for in that area.  

    BTW, I am just thankful to even have teeth, as many in our group do not.  Got to count your blessings everyday,

    Take Care,

    PJ

     

     

     

     

     

    Duraphat 5000

    PJ, I get this toothpaste issued free by Dr. It us high flueride and not available over counter. May be similair to your product. To be left on a half hour after brushing. Regards, G.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
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    At least you know what it

    is, and they are going to fix it.  Plus you get some new fancy stuff to use...........................that works!!! 

    p

  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #9
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    pH

    Radiation changes the pH from neutral to acidic which in turn causes demineralization and then carries.  I spent a fair amount of time reading about this when I was going through rads.  I have a fortune invested in my teeth and plan on keeping them.  It really helps to use extra flouride until your saliva returns to a more normal state.  Mine is back to pre radiation levels so I have slacked off the high flouride tooth paste but I do brush, floss and use a water pic daily or more. Sensodyne makes a toothpaste that contains Novamin.  Novamin was developed to encourage bone growth and it was determined that is also remineralizes teeth.  Unfortunately the FDA will not let Glaxo Smith Kline, the makers of Sensodyne sell the Novamin variety in the US so you would need to purchase it from Europe via eBay.  Oh I did notice the extra flouride does cause stains.

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #10
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    jtl said:

    pH

    Radiation changes the pH from neutral to acidic which in turn causes demineralization and then carries.  I spent a fair amount of time reading about this when I was going through rads.  I have a fortune invested in my teeth and plan on keeping them.  It really helps to use extra flouride until your saliva returns to a more normal state.  Mine is back to pre radiation levels so I have slacked off the high flouride tooth paste but I do brush, floss and use a water pic daily or more. Sensodyne makes a toothpaste that contains Novamin.  Novamin was developed to encourage bone growth and it was determined that is also remineralizes teeth.  Unfortunately the FDA will not let Glaxo Smith Kline, the makers of Sensodyne sell the Novamin variety in the US so you would need to purchase it from Europe via eBay.  Oh I did notice the extra flouride does cause stains.

    Trying the Nutrasol rinse out

    Which addresses the demineralization issue.  I also brush with the flouride toothpast my dentist gave a script for.  I used a sonicare toothbrush and a waterpick.  I am being more diligent since this cropped up.  I thought I had more saliva, but guess it is not doing the job.  Thanks for the tip.

    PJ

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #11
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    jtl said:

    pH

    Radiation changes the pH from neutral to acidic which in turn causes demineralization and then carries.  I spent a fair amount of time reading about this when I was going through rads.  I have a fortune invested in my teeth and plan on keeping them.  It really helps to use extra flouride until your saliva returns to a more normal state.  Mine is back to pre radiation levels so I have slacked off the high flouride tooth paste but I do brush, floss and use a water pic daily or more. Sensodyne makes a toothpaste that contains Novamin.  Novamin was developed to encourage bone growth and it was determined that is also remineralizes teeth.  Unfortunately the FDA will not let Glaxo Smith Kline, the makers of Sensodyne sell the Novamin variety in the US so you would need to purchase it from Europe via eBay.  Oh I did notice the extra flouride does cause stains.

    So true...

    Ditto your understanding of oral health issues post tx. Not sure why more don't push high alkaline water but this makes a lot of common sense as a way to battle the increased acidity resulting from low saliva.

    Much confusion exists about extra flouride and trays. The point is well taken those with decreased saliva may benefit while those with 100% saliva have less need of the extra flouride treatments.

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #12
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    donfoo said:

    So true...

    Ditto your understanding of oral health issues post tx. Not sure why more don't push high alkaline water but this makes a lot of common sense as a way to battle the increased acidity resulting from low saliva.

    Much confusion exists about extra flouride and trays. The point is well taken those with decreased saliva may benefit while those with 100% saliva have less need of the extra flouride treatments.

    saliva

    Don, I think most of us that have gone through the rads have decreased saliva production so almost ANYONE could benefit from the extra flouride, at least for the first year or so following radiation.

    I am also taking pilocarpime (5mg) 3 times a day which is supposed to help with the saliva production but I'm still way down from pre treatment levels.  I know some say they have 50%, 80% saliva back but I'm not there yet.   For those trying to stimulate saliva, the best thing I have found is a Xylitol based chewing gum called "Spry", as it really seems to help more than anything.   I buy them off of Amazon at 600 pieces at time and have little zip lock bags that I carry around, in my office, briefcase, etc.   It's sweetened with Xylitol vs aspartame and supposedly helps with teeth and mouth (that's what the ads say:)).   they really help me.

    Keith

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #13
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    KB56 said:

    saliva

    Don, I think most of us that have gone through the rads have decreased saliva production so almost ANYONE could benefit from the extra flouride, at least for the first year or so following radiation.

    I am also taking pilocarpime (5mg) 3 times a day which is supposed to help with the saliva production but I'm still way down from pre treatment levels.  I know some say they have 50%, 80% saliva back but I'm not there yet.   For those trying to stimulate saliva, the best thing I have found is a Xylitol based chewing gum called "Spry", as it really seems to help more than anything.   I buy them off of Amazon at 600 pieces at time and have little zip lock bags that I carry around, in my office, briefcase, etc.   It's sweetened with Xylitol vs aspartame and supposedly helps with teeth and mouth (that's what the ads say:)).   they really help me.

    Keith

    Cheers

    Keith, seeing Dr. On Thu so will ask about this product, Appreciated, Gary

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #14
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    Guzzle said:

    Cheers

    Keith, seeing Dr. On Thu so will ask about this product, Appreciated, Gary

    Spry gum

    My dentist actually gave me the first samples I had.   Really helps me out a lot.

     

    keith

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