teeth

Kent Cass

Just a note. Had another follow-up with my Onco today. Asked her if she knew of anything that could be done with my disintegrating teeth. No. We thought an Oral Surgeon might know something my regular Dentist doesn't, but not likely. So, she thinks I should drive out to the U of Iowa, as they would know if anything, like capping all of them, could work.

Anyone have an experience with capping, or something to that affect, to protect what teeth I have left? Have a Bridge and some 6 Crowns, and would be nice if I could do something to save my front teeth and ones on the sides with fillings, instead of someday needing them pulled and a partial used to replace. Need some info, ASAP.

kcass

sweetblood22

Me too
I just went again last week and I have to have about all of mine filled. I'm so not happy. It's so upsetting. I don't know what else to do. I brush 4-6 times a day. Use the perscription flouride 2x a day. One brushing with a boost and one in trays. I'll probably die of flouride poisoning. Lol

Seriously tho. My teeth are bad. I am going to be draining my savings to get them taken care of. So if anyone has imput that would be great. Asap for me too.

MarineE5

Kent and Sweet
Not really a solution, but I am in the same situation as both of you. I worry about my teeth. No saliva here, so the Flouride Trays are a most. I have been using PerioCheck for the last 5 years. Seems to be doing pretty good except for 2 teeth that cracked on me when eating. Had 2 caps put in during my first 2 years out of radiation. The caps have been holding up just fine and no cavities so far with the remaining teeth. I am 5 yrs and 9 months out of treatments.

I do find, that if I brush my teeth too hard, my gums do get sore and tender. I use the battery powered Oral-B tooth brush and it helps with the plaque. I try to use the Bioteen mouthwash before bed to help keep my mouth moist during the night. I chew sugar free gum during the day to help with the moisture.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

Hondo

Hi Kent
I just got back from MD Anderson last week seeing about my Jaw and teeth problem. As you know there is not a dentist that will touch me because of the Jaw problem but this guy at MD Anderson Dr Mark Chambers said he think he can help me, he just can’t believe my other Oncl doctors left me in this condition.

The plan is to first open the Jaw with a device using gravity this will slowly open it a little each day. When the Jaw is at one inch he will start restoration of the teeth, I asked him you mean you will start pulling the teeth, he said No we will restore your teeth. There may be one or two that will need to come out but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

I have been looking 4 years now for someone like this to help me with my Jaw and teeth problem. You can’t go to a small town dentist you need to go to a place where they know about people who are survivor of cancer to get the right help and treatment.

Take care my friend and keep believing you need a dentist that is a Oncologic Dentisty and Prosthodontics leave the little town guys behind you they can’t help.

ljoy

Teeth Univ of Iowa
I'm currently seeing a U of I dentist in Minnesota who specilizes in "comprimized" dental cases. She trained and spent many years at the U. As others have stated you need a dentist that knows the complications caused from treatment of HNC.

I'm five years out from tonsil cancer. Earlier this year had a tooth come loose and had to under go Hyperbaric treatments and oral surgery caused by the radiatin.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

SIRENAF42

ljoy said:

Teeth Univ of Iowa
I'm currently seeing a U of I dentist in Minnesota who specilizes in "comprimized" dental cases. She trained and spent many years at the U. As others have stated you need a dentist that knows the complications caused from treatment of HNC.

I'm five years out from tonsil cancer. Earlier this year had a tooth come loose and had to under go Hyperbaric treatments and oral surgery caused by the radiatin.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Teeth
Why doesnt medical insurance cover the cost of after cancer dental care? I mean, honestly my teeth were just fine before cancer... radiation has weakened them and now, like most of you I need "caps" to save what I have. My dental plan is good but my medical insurance is better. Medical insurance covered the teeth they pulled.. why cant it cover the teeth that need fixing due to radiation?

JUDYV5

SIRENAF42 said:

Teeth
Why doesnt medical insurance cover the cost of after cancer dental care? I mean, honestly my teeth were just fine before cancer... radiation has weakened them and now, like most of you I need "caps" to save what I have. My dental plan is good but my medical insurance is better. Medical insurance covered the teeth they pulled.. why cant it cover the teeth that need fixing due to radiation?

I totally agree with that
The gastrologist cracked two of my teeth. I reached the coverge max with one. It is truly irritating that the health insurance won't cover it.

Hondo

JUDYV5 said:

I totally agree with that
The gastrologist cracked two of my teeth. I reached the coverge max with one. It is truly irritating that the health insurance won't cover it.

Hi Judy
I hope you made him take the cost of the teeth replacement off the bill, makes you wonder how hard then shove that think in sometimes.

JUDYV5

Hondo said:

Hi Judy
I hope you made him take the cost of the teeth replacement off the bill, makes you wonder how hard then shove that think in sometimes.

out of pocket for medical. Other then the 45 dollar doctor deductable everything else cost me nothing. Thank God for good medical insurance. (at least)

sweetblood22

JUDYV5 said:

out of pocket for medical. Other then the 45 dollar doctor deductable everything else cost me nothing. Thank God for good medical insurance. (at least)

At least I feel a little
At least I feel a little better that there are others that are having teeth problems. I told the lady that was cleaning my teeth that I am just mortified over my teeth and she told me not to be. That she can see I am brushing. But stil it's upsetting.

Pam M

Hondo said:

Hi Kent
I just got back from MD Anderson last week seeing about my Jaw and teeth problem. As you know there is not a dentist that will touch me because of the Jaw problem but this guy at MD Anderson Dr Mark Chambers said he think he can help me, he just can’t believe my other Oncl doctors left me in this condition.

The plan is to first open the Jaw with a device using gravity this will slowly open it a little each day. When the Jaw is at one inch he will start restoration of the teeth, I asked him you mean you will start pulling the teeth, he said No we will restore your teeth. There may be one or two that will need to come out but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

I have been looking 4 years now for someone like this to help me with my Jaw and teeth problem. You can’t go to a small town dentist you need to go to a place where they know about people who are survivor of cancer to get the right help and treatment.

Take care my friend and keep believing you need a dentist that is a Oncologic Dentisty and Prosthodontics leave the little town guys behind you they can’t help.

Yay, Doc
Hondo,
glad you're finally getting help.

Pam M

Hondo said:

Hi Kent
I just got back from MD Anderson last week seeing about my Jaw and teeth problem. As you know there is not a dentist that will touch me because of the Jaw problem but this guy at MD Anderson Dr Mark Chambers said he think he can help me, he just can’t believe my other Oncl doctors left me in this condition.

The plan is to first open the Jaw with a device using gravity this will slowly open it a little each day. When the Jaw is at one inch he will start restoration of the teeth, I asked him you mean you will start pulling the teeth, he said No we will restore your teeth. There may be one or two that will need to come out but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

I have been looking 4 years now for someone like this to help me with my Jaw and teeth problem. You can’t go to a small town dentist you need to go to a place where they know about people who are survivor of cancer to get the right help and treatment.

Take care my friend and keep believing you need a dentist that is a Oncologic Dentisty and Prosthodontics leave the little town guys behind you they can’t help.

Yay, Doc
Hondo,
glad you're finally getting help.

Kent Cass

sweetblood22 said:

At least I feel a little
At least I feel a little better that there are others that are having teeth problems. I told the lady that was cleaning my teeth that I am just mortified over my teeth and she told me not to be. That she can see I am brushing. But stil it's upsetting.

Many thanks
to all the responses. And, yes, I use Prevident once/day, as prescribed. Reckon the thing I should do is set-up an appointment in Iowa City via my regular Dr., to get an evaluation and suggestions from the Dental College folks at the U of Iowa. Might take a couple weeks, because of a couple other issues, but that's the plan.

kcass

Hondo

Kent Cass said:

Many thanks
to all the responses. And, yes, I use Prevident once/day, as prescribed. Reckon the thing I should do is set-up an appointment in Iowa City via my regular Dr., to get an evaluation and suggestions from the Dental College folks at the U of Iowa. Might take a couple weeks, because of a couple other issues, but that's the plan.

kcass

Hi Kent
What ever way you go brother I will be praying that all goes well for you.

God bless and keep you

Tricia02

5 yrs later
5 years later and i too have problems. Apparently they "dropped the ball" with me and i should have been referred to the maxofacial unit before, during and after treatment! It wont happen again I am told, fat lot of use that is to me lol. I had good teeth prior to cancer, and all during treatment and along the way I have gone to my dentist in central London. However, she left the practice and 6 months ago i saw someone else who said they ALL have to come out! I freaked, as this could only be done privately to the tune of £30,000!!!!!!!!! Anyway I got myself home and went to a NHS dentist (state dentist) who said rubbish and she referred me to the maxiofacial unit, which I should have been referred to straight away 5 years ago. I saw them on 4 occasions and they gave me a strict regime of my new hygiene programme. Anyway, long story short 6 months later I go to see the head consultant and apparently whatever I have been doing has worked and no teeth out. I have flouride trays to use in the evening for half an hour and I am very happy. I have my own teeth at the bottom and crowns and bridges at the top and it was the though of losing all of these that was upsetting. I was told also that I could not have any fillings as there was a real danger of necrosis and what was described to me then was horrendous, so its worth checking that out re fillings! Hopefully i get to keep my teeth a few more years lol. But the regime I have to go thru everyday is very time consuming, but obviously worth it.

Txxx

susan0803

Tricia02 said:

5 yrs later
5 years later and i too have problems. Apparently they "dropped the ball" with me and i should have been referred to the maxofacial unit before, during and after treatment! It wont happen again I am told, fat lot of use that is to me lol. I had good teeth prior to cancer, and all during treatment and along the way I have gone to my dentist in central London. However, she left the practice and 6 months ago i saw someone else who said they ALL have to come out! I freaked, as this could only be done privately to the tune of £30,000!!!!!!!!! Anyway I got myself home and went to a NHS dentist (state dentist) who said rubbish and she referred me to the maxiofacial unit, which I should have been referred to straight away 5 years ago. I saw them on 4 occasions and they gave me a strict regime of my new hygiene programme. Anyway, long story short 6 months later I go to see the head consultant and apparently whatever I have been doing has worked and no teeth out. I have flouride trays to use in the evening for half an hour and I am very happy. I have my own teeth at the bottom and crowns and bridges at the top and it was the though of losing all of these that was upsetting. I was told also that I could not have any fillings as there was a real danger of necrosis and what was described to me then was horrendous, so its worth checking that out re fillings! Hopefully i get to keep my teeth a few more years lol. But the regime I have to go thru everyday is very time consuming, but obviously worth it.

Txxx

concerned - looking for more info on protecting teeth
I appreciate the information so far on teeth issues posted here. I'm so sorry for those of you who are dealing with teeth issues post treatment. It's a shame that the doctor's sometimes only treat their specific issue and ignore others. Having good teeth are such an important part of staying healthy that all doctor's should pay attention to it.

If anyone can give more advice, their stories regarding teeth problems after HNC treatments that would be great!

1. Is it the reduced saliva or the radiation itself or both that causes the teeth problems?

2. Is it that the teeth are just more prone to breaking or are more prone to decay?

3. I see most people using are using the flouride trays. Our onc only recommended the prescription flouride toothpaste. Do you think we should push for the trays?

4. Would it help to see the dentist at Sloan throughout the treatments?

5. Is it possible to keep teeth after treatments if specific measures are done during treatments?

6. Are there certain foods or supplements that anyone has found that helps preserve the teeth?

THANKS!
Suzanne

Tricia02

susan0803 said:

concerned - looking for more info on protecting teeth
I appreciate the information so far on teeth issues posted here. I'm so sorry for those of you who are dealing with teeth issues post treatment. It's a shame that the doctor's sometimes only treat their specific issue and ignore others. Having good teeth are such an important part of staying healthy that all doctor's should pay attention to it.

If anyone can give more advice, their stories regarding teeth problems after HNC treatments that would be great!

1. Is it the reduced saliva or the radiation itself or both that causes the teeth problems?

2. Is it that the teeth are just more prone to breaking or are more prone to decay?

3. I see most people using are using the flouride trays. Our onc only recommended the prescription flouride toothpaste. Do you think we should push for the trays?

4. Would it help to see the dentist at Sloan throughout the treatments?

5. Is it possible to keep teeth after treatments if specific measures are done during treatments?

6. Are there certain foods or supplements that anyone has found that helps preserve the teeth?

THANKS!
Suzanne

his susan
yes reduced saliva is the main cause, i am not sure if they are more prone to breaking or not, mine didnt break though. I would 100% recommend seeing the dentist at Sloan. I know of no food supplements that help. Apparently with increased flouride this does help enormously ie in my case it took between 4-6 months to get my teeth and gums healthy again using just extra flouride and other gels etc prescribed by the dentist department at the hospital. But I strongly recommend having a chat with the dental department Susan for expert advice on this. Everyone, like me can have advice but were all so different and sometimes require "tailored" treatment for ultimate results. I wish you well.

susan0803

Tricia02 said:

his susan
yes reduced saliva is the main cause, i am not sure if they are more prone to breaking or not, mine didnt break though. I would 100% recommend seeing the dentist at Sloan. I know of no food supplements that help. Apparently with increased flouride this does help enormously ie in my case it took between 4-6 months to get my teeth and gums healthy again using just extra flouride and other gels etc prescribed by the dentist department at the hospital. But I strongly recommend having a chat with the dental department Susan for expert advice on this. Everyone, like me can have advice but were all so different and sometimes require "tailored" treatment for ultimate results. I wish you well.

thanks
I like the suggestion to see the dentist at Sloan. I will follow up on it.

Thanks!
Suzanne