dental work while on chemo - is this wise?

mariam_11_09
mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a chipped filling. I didn't have it fixed before chemo mostly because I did not like the work my dentist did and needed to find a new one which I hadn't. Now not only is the filling chipped but the tooth broken. This just happened while flossing my teeth this evening.

So I am pretty much in need of having the dental work done. However is this wise while on chemo? Do you think this needs to be a question for the oncologist? I am concerned about what would happen if I don't take care of it.

Comments

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    Ask Onco
    I had to have dental work done prior to chemo and had to wait a bit afterwards for any other than may have come up. Some dentists will not touch you if you are on chemo because of the possibility of bleeding or complications, it all depends on the chemo mixture you are receiving. Please call onco's office asap, perhaps they will have a dentist they refer patients too. I hope this all goes well for your.

    RE
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    Check with oncologist, for sure
    With your white blood count potentially being low from chemo, you should get okay from onc before any procedures, I would think. How unfortunate, to have such a complication now -- so sorry to hear it.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Call your onc asap. There
    Call your onc asap. There is a possibility you can have the dental work done. You dont want a broken tooth which can cause infection and pain to complicate your health issues. Your onc knows best. If you are able to have the dental work, your onc will probably put you on an antibiotic to fight any infection from invasion of the tissue.

    Please let us know what your onc and dentist have to say. There may need to be communication between the 2 doctors. Wishing you the best. Please update us when you can. Hugs and Prayers.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Miriam, the best advice is
    Miriam, the best advice is to contact your onc for that information. I ended up with an infection during my chemo treatments and had to have a tooth extracted. My onc approved the extraction but it was the week before my infusion. I had chemo every 3 weeks. Good luck and let us know how you proceed.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    I had my dental work done
    I had my dental work done prior to chemo, but then again, I didn't have a chipped tooth to contend with during treatment! You poor thing! Of course you want to call your oncologist~ as RE said, he may give you a referral. You cetainly don't want an infection cropping up! I always contend that "no matter what" is happening to me or anyone else, we are not so unique that it hasn't been addressed before! Call your Dr! Oh yeah...and then let us know what he suggests!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    Blood count first

    okay my Oncologist said to go and have a blood count before he decides whether or not I can have the dental work. keep your fingers crossed it is good enough because I currently have boils which usually means everything is low.
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    Dental
    Right after chemo I had to have 2 teeth pulled. My dentist was not happy to do it so close to chemo, but it had to be done - I was in pain. He and my oncologist kept an eye on things, and it was ok. But then, everyone is different - please check with your oncologist.
    Pat
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member

    Blood count first

    okay my Oncologist said to go and have a blood count before he decides whether or not I can have the dental work. keep your fingers crossed it is good enough because I currently have boils which usually means everything is low.

    My fingers are crossed for
    My fingers are crossed for you!!
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    padee6339 said:

    Dental
    Right after chemo I had to have 2 teeth pulled. My dentist was not happy to do it so close to chemo, but it had to be done - I was in pain. He and my oncologist kept an eye on things, and it was ok. But then, everyone is different - please check with your oncologist.
    Pat

    listen to your oncologist
    you still can do it later before your next Chemo infusion. Maybe postpone your next infusion by 2-3 days to do dental work. You need to tell dentist when you make an appointment that you are currently on Chemo treatment. Depending on your specific case you can be prescribed antibiotics 2 days before and after dental work. Sorry that you have to deal with it now.
    Good luck,
    New Flower
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    YIPPEEE!! Thanks

    YIPPEEE!! Thanks everyone!


    My white blood cell count is good and everything is where they want it to be and indicating that it is all on its way up!!!

    I decided to go back to the dentist that I knew, although I am not entirely happy with her work however she does have all my records and I have been going to her for several yeas. Just seems easiest. Bless her heart, she called my Oncologist and verified with him if it would be alright. He has given us the go ahead.


    My Oncologist also said that normally he doesn't preclude dental treatment during chemo but prefers that it is done when all the blood work is back to normal usually just before the next chemo.

    So Wednesday I will hopefully have a crown put it on. Keep my fingers crossed there isn't another complication.
  • susanleeann
    susanleeann Member Posts: 58
    getting ready to start chemo
    getting ready to start chemo and wondering the same thing. i am due for my 6 month cleaning in a month. the last time i saw my dentist, way before my diagnosis, he said he would like to replace a thirty year old crown. the radiation oncologist said okay, but i haven't had a chance to ask the medical oncologist. but this is the best place for advice on the best way to handle different issues. only been hanging around here a couple of weeks but i love it here.
  • BethInAz
    BethInAz Member Posts: 203 Member

    getting ready to start chemo
    getting ready to start chemo and wondering the same thing. i am due for my 6 month cleaning in a month. the last time i saw my dentist, way before my diagnosis, he said he would like to replace a thirty year old crown. the radiation oncologist said okay, but i haven't had a chance to ask the medical oncologist. but this is the best place for advice on the best way to handle different issues. only been hanging around here a couple of weeks but i love it here.

    Chemo and dental work
    Thanks for this post! I've been wondering about this myself. My 6 month checkup was probably 4 months ago - I've postponed for the simple fact that chemo was hard on my tongue and mouth tissues. I figured having the hygienist poke around my mouth tissues would cause a lot of bleeding and would make things even more sore. I'm done with chemo now and am going to make an appointment for a few weeks down the road just to be sure my blood counts are getting back to normal. I'm sorry for those who have more urgent dental needs.
    Beth
  • Youcandothis
    Youcandothis Member Posts: 79
    BethInAz said:

    Chemo and dental work
    Thanks for this post! I've been wondering about this myself. My 6 month checkup was probably 4 months ago - I've postponed for the simple fact that chemo was hard on my tongue and mouth tissues. I figured having the hygienist poke around my mouth tissues would cause a lot of bleeding and would make things even more sore. I'm done with chemo now and am going to make an appointment for a few weeks down the road just to be sure my blood counts are getting back to normal. I'm sorry for those who have more urgent dental needs.
    Beth

    I had some vague tooth
    I had some vague tooth problems and ran it by my onc. She advised putting off anything nonurgent till after treatment completed. I was glad to, kind of tired of pain...
    Btw, I ate liver and spinach several times during chemo to keep my blood count up, worked out well for me.
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    Okay I had my dental work

    Okay I had my dental work done and am rather relieved. A huge chunk of the filling came out of my molar very close to the edge of the tooth and part of the tooth broke as well. However the dentist was able to put on 3/4 crown or overlay as they call it and save the rest of the tooth. Phew! It wouldn't have lasted until August when I finish chemo.

    My molars always hurt like hell when they are messed with so I am pretty nervous about what it is going to feel like when the injection wears off.

    Anyway, it does seem like it would be better to get dental work done either before or after chemo (if it can wait). Well you live and learn.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member

    Okay I had my dental work

    Okay I had my dental work done and am rather relieved. A huge chunk of the filling came out of my molar very close to the edge of the tooth and part of the tooth broke as well. However the dentist was able to put on 3/4 crown or overlay as they call it and save the rest of the tooth. Phew! It wouldn't have lasted until August when I finish chemo.

    My molars always hurt like hell when they are messed with so I am pretty nervous about what it is going to feel like when the injection wears off.

    Anyway, it does seem like it would be better to get dental work done either before or after chemo (if it can wait). Well you live and learn.

    Miriam, glad to read you got
    Miriam, glad to read you got your tooth fixed. I hope once the novocain wore off you didn't experience any discomfort. Glad you were able to take care of it. Good luck with the rest of your treatments.