DOES CHEMO DESTROY OUR TEETH?

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  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #22
    Kaleena said:

    Rosey:
    I didn't realize
    Rosey:

    I didn't realize there was a controversy about root canals. Very interesting. In fact, one of my root canals years later became really abscessed. I kept saying my face hurt and I felt a lump on the roof of my mouth. Couldn't find anything and at the time was suggesting that I might have a tumor on the roof of my mouth. A week later, I went in for more x-rays and found out I had a severe infection and that I had deep roots.

    Come to think about it, it was about 3 or 4 years later that I was diagnosed with cancer. I still have about 4 teeth that have root canals.

    Is there any controversy about implants?

    Thanks for the info. Hope you are having a good day today.

    Kathy

    Kathy
    I've had root canals and 2 implants...all prior to my cancer diagnosis. With the root canals what I've found, they can leave some of the root without knowing it, which possibly cause infection and other issues. Docs are suggesting to have that tooth pulled vs. root canal procedure and then get a bridge if in middle of teeth lineup. Makes sense, but when they do a bridge even when removing one tooth, file down the tooth in front and back (either side of extracted tooth), basically making it thinner and less strong. I had a bridge done some 15 years ago and the one tooth in front that they filed down got bad and had it removed as well. Really can see why bridges aren't the greatest as well.

    Another area to watch, materials they use in fillings...watch the mercury and BPA (plastic). More controversy!!

    The bridge that went bad with the tooth I mentioned, I decided to do 2 implants. They are wonderful and oh so expensive (tune of $2200, plus crown at $800). I really need one more on the other side, but after researching I'm not having it done. Apparently the stems they use to drill in our bones are "titanium" which has been found to leak into our internal system and causing other health issues. Oh my gosh!! So today I'm missing a tooth on one side, but luckily in back where can't be seen.

    Not only don't we get thru cancer and treatments, now must watch everything we do to our bodies and any consequences to our health. Never ends does it???


    Best to all,
    Jan
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #23
    JoAnnDK said:

    my holistic dentist
    ,,,uses a lot of alternative and complimentary therapies and he snorted with derision when I asked him this root canal question, about them poisoning us. Then he said something I will not repeat here about fanatics.

    JoAnn

    JoAnn
    Holistic dentist? Had no clue they were out there.

    When I asked my dentist about the fillings and what's in them, he tells me about the dental association and how all the ingredients are okay for us...no real findings with health issues. Yeah sure doc....I should really believe you????

    In the end, we must be our own advocates as can't rely and trust what many docs tell us.

    Jan
  • imackie48
    imackie48 Member Posts: 96
    #24
    Kaleena said:

    Rosey:
    I didn't realize
    Rosey:

    I didn't realize there was a controversy about root canals. Very interesting. In fact, one of my root canals years later became really abscessed. I kept saying my face hurt and I felt a lump on the roof of my mouth. Couldn't find anything and at the time was suggesting that I might have a tumor on the roof of my mouth. A week later, I went in for more x-rays and found out I had a severe infection and that I had deep roots.

    Come to think about it, it was about 3 or 4 years later that I was diagnosed with cancer. I still have about 4 teeth that have root canals.

    Is there any controversy about implants?

    Thanks for the info. Hope you are having a good day today.

    Kathy

    Tooth pulled
    Had my root canal pulled yesterday, it didn't go easy, theI tooth broke into pieces and had to have stitches. Percent wouldn't even take the pain away. Now I can't eat again, just when I was eating, now this. I just can't get a break.

    Irene
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #25
    imackie48 said:

    Tooth pulled
    Had my root canal pulled yesterday, it didn't go easy, theI tooth broke into pieces and had to have stitches. Percent wouldn't even take the pain away. Now I can't eat again, just when I was eating, now this. I just can't get a break.

    Irene

    I guess I am "screwed"
    ....because I have titanium hardware in a leg that I broke 15 years ago! Not about to get that stuff taken out. I suppose the one titanium screw in my mouth is nothing compared to what is in my leg!

    JoAnn
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #26
    JoAnnDK said:

    I guess I am "screwed"
    ....because I have titanium hardware in a leg that I broke 15 years ago! Not about to get that stuff taken out. I suppose the one titanium screw in my mouth is nothing compared to what is in my leg!

    JoAnn

    This, too, will pass, Irene
    So sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time. Chemo sucks.

    About 9 months after chemo, I had a root canal absess. I don't know if it was related to the chemo or not - I saw the dentist, the endodontist, and finally the oral surgeon and none of them said anything, but it still makes you wonder, doesn't it?

    I also wonder if another contributing factor for me is lack of estrogen and its effect on bone density. Being post menopausal, then having BSO along with hysterectomy, and finally being on Arimidex makes me highly suspicious.

    About your bald head - have you looked at Titillating Turbans? Honestly, they are my favorites, even if Laurie and I are friends. I wore them all through chemo and still wear them. They're very versatile, lots of different looks and so easy to wear. You don't have to do anything except put them on and tie the tie however you want. My second favorite was BeauBeaus. Again, so comfortable and pretty.

    Ro - I got really good at false eyelashes. Mine came back but are really puny - just like the hair on the remainder of my body, including my head. Chemo sucks.

    Hugs to you both,
    Suzanne
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #27
    JoAnnDK said:

    I guess I am "screwed"
    ....because I have titanium hardware in a leg that I broke 15 years ago! Not about to get that stuff taken out. I suppose the one titanium screw in my mouth is nothing compared to what is in my leg!

    JoAnn

    JoAnn
    My hubbie has an artificial hip and knee....stems are all titanium, too. We can all relate. The things we do to stay healthy and then realize after much research, it's unhealthy....gee!!

    Hang in there!
    Jan
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #28
    jazzy1 said:

    JoAnn
    My hubbie has an artificial hip and knee....stems are all titanium, too. We can all relate. The things we do to stay healthy and then realize after much research, it's unhealthy....gee!!

    Hang in there!
    Jan

    Ports are titanium too. My
    Ports are titanium too. My port was titanium and I had it in for over 5 years (only used it for six months but had it flushed monthly). They just took it out and I really felt better once it was removed.
  • imackie48
    imackie48 Member Posts: 96
    #29
    Double Whammy said:

    This, too, will pass, Irene
    So sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time. Chemo sucks.

    About 9 months after chemo, I had a root canal absess. I don't know if it was related to the chemo or not - I saw the dentist, the endodontist, and finally the oral surgeon and none of them said anything, but it still makes you wonder, doesn't it?

    I also wonder if another contributing factor for me is lack of estrogen and its effect on bone density. Being post menopausal, then having BSO along with hysterectomy, and finally being on Arimidex makes me highly suspicious.

    About your bald head - have you looked at Titillating Turbans? Honestly, they are my favorites, even if Laurie and I are friends. I wore them all through chemo and still wear them. They're very versatile, lots of different looks and so easy to wear. You don't have to do anything except put them on and tie the tie however you want. My second favorite was BeauBeaus. Again, so comfortable and pretty.

    Ro - I got really good at false eyelashes. Mine came back but are really puny - just like the hair on the remainder of my body, including my head. Chemo sucks.

    Hugs to you both,
    Suzanne

    Suzanne
    Did you finally have it repaired or pulled.
    Irene
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #30
    imackie48 said:

    Suzanne
    Did you finally have it repaired or pulled.
    Irene

    Pulled
    It couldn't be repaired. Haven't decided on an implant or not. It doesn't show, it's a little awkward, tho. I just don't want to spend the bucks on an implant.

    Suzanne
  • Gloria C
    Gloria C Member Posts: 23
    #31
    Kaleena said:

    Ports are titanium too. My
    Ports are titanium too. My port was titanium and I had it in for over 5 years (only used it for six months but had it flushed monthly). They just took it out and I really felt better once it was removed.

    bleeeding gums
    I've made it through chemo.....now have bleeding gums.....terified of dentists (makes no sense after what I've just gone through)......just dont want more pain to deal with.....constant pain already.....and add teeth/mouth issues???? is there no end????? any ideas as to getting the courage for yet more torture?
  • imackie48
    imackie48 Member Posts: 96
    #32
    Gloria C said:

    bleeeding gums
    I've made it through chemo.....now have bleeding gums.....terified of dentists (makes no sense after what I've just gone through)......just dont want more pain to deal with.....constant pain already.....and add teeth/mouth issues???? is there no end????? any ideas as to getting the courage for yet more torture?

    I agree
    Gloria, I'm with you, all I know is pain in one way or another, had this tooth pulled, extreme pain, chemo has been delayed 2 weeks, more pain, every time I eat I have to suffer, with throbbing pain, I've always took care of my teeth, now these chemicals are destroying them.
    Hang in there,
    Hugs to you, Irene
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #33
    imackie48 said:

    I agree
    Gloria, I'm with you, all I know is pain in one way or another, had this tooth pulled, extreme pain, chemo has been delayed 2 weeks, more pain, every time I eat I have to suffer, with throbbing pain, I've always took care of my teeth, now these chemicals are destroying them.
    Hang in there,
    Hugs to you, Irene

    Dental phobia
    Prior to cancer when gyn exams were infrequent, I used to say I'd rather have a Pap smear than my teeth cleaned. I've changed my tune. . .

    Suzanne
  • ted6583
    ted6583 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2019 #34
    damaged teeth due to chemo

    I finished my chemo in 2008 and slowly my teeth have been getting worse.  It's so disappointing to be doing everyting thing you are told to do only to find out that your teeth are getting worse.  When I went in for my last cleaning in October, they decided they were not going to do anything cause they were affraid of what damage may come out of the cleaning.  I used to cry every time a tooth broke, now it's old hat.  It's still depressing.  The dentist said the best bet for me is to have all teeth removed and get dentures. 

  • zsazsa1
    zsazsa1 Member Posts: 565 Member
    #35
    ted6583 said:

    damaged teeth due to chemo

    I finished my chemo in 2008 and slowly my teeth have been getting worse.  It's so disappointing to be doing everyting thing you are told to do only to find out that your teeth are getting worse.  When I went in for my last cleaning in October, they decided they were not going to do anything cause they were affraid of what damage may come out of the cleaning.  I used to cry every time a tooth broke, now it's old hat.  It's still depressing.  The dentist said the best bet for me is to have all teeth removed and get dentures. 

    I hope this is not going to

    I hope this is not going to be the case for me, but if after the UPSC/clear cell diagnosis, the chemo helps me to live for another decade, with worsening teeth, I'll consider myself lucky.  When I was first diagnosed, 11 months ago, I didn't know if I'd be alive a year later.

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