Using fluoride trays while receiving radiation

RonJ552002
RonJ552002 Member Posts: 12
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I received a reply from long term survivor-Thank You-but decided to post this as new. My surgeon indicated that I needed to have my fluoride trays before starting radiation. While meeting with my Radiologist last week he said that I would not be using them during the time that I was receiving radiation. Receiving radiation means to me the entire time for the 35 visits not the actual time I'm on the table. I meet with the team tomorrow for the Simulation process and will get a actual definition and a reason that I won't be using them.
In the mean time I look to you for your opinion. I thought the trays were for use the entire time.

Comments

  • caregiver99
    caregiver99 Member Posts: 27
    #2
    Due to mouth sore during rad
    Due to mouth sore during rad treatment, Natalie's radiologist told her she can use the fluoride tray starting 3 weeks after radiation treatment. Was told there is sufficient saliva during the treatment so she used fluoride toothpaste during treatment instead.
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    caregiver99 said:

    Due to mouth sore during rad
    Due to mouth sore during rad treatment, Natalie's radiologist told her she can use the fluoride tray starting 3 weeks after radiation treatment. Was told there is sufficient saliva during the treatment so she used fluoride toothpaste during treatment instead.

    the literature actually doesn't support this statement
    No offense to you because I know you are repeating what was said by a professional. But the qualitative changes in saliva take place within just a few treatments, and the decrease in flow, caused by swelling, can be seen within a week. It certainly was by me. The whole thing may be pretty moot, anyway. The issue is fluoride, not necessarily the trays. My mouth tolerated the trays just fine the first time I went through XRT. So I used the trays. This time, now done with 27/34 treatments, I'm just too sore. My mouth bleeds if I use them. So I gently brush on either a high-fluoride paste, or gelcam a number of times a day, simply not rinsing or drinking for at least a half-hour.

    People can have their teeth falling apart by the time rads are done. Here's some more on the topic, for those who just love to read:

    http://www.dent.ucla.edu/pic/members/cancer/p4.html


    Best regards


    Pat
  • Goalie
    Goalie Member Posts: 184
    #4
    longtermsurvivor said:

    the literature actually doesn't support this statement
    No offense to you because I know you are repeating what was said by a professional. But the qualitative changes in saliva take place within just a few treatments, and the decrease in flow, caused by swelling, can be seen within a week. It certainly was by me. The whole thing may be pretty moot, anyway. The issue is fluoride, not necessarily the trays. My mouth tolerated the trays just fine the first time I went through XRT. So I used the trays. This time, now done with 27/34 treatments, I'm just too sore. My mouth bleeds if I use them. So I gently brush on either a high-fluoride paste, or gelcam a number of times a day, simply not rinsing or drinking for at least a half-hour.

    People can have their teeth falling apart by the time rads are done. Here's some more on the topic, for those who just love to read:

    http://www.dent.ucla.edu/pic/members/cancer/p4.html


    Best regards


    Pat

    before, during, after
    Well, they had me get my trays before starting so that I could use them during the actual zapping. This was supposedly so that they would help protect the gums, etc. from the bouncearound. They made sure they were in when fitting the mask. We didn't have the fluoride in then, of course, as that would probably have caused the meager saliva I had to flow which would have been uncomfortable being strapped down and all.

    But I used them every night during treatment and since. I have only missed a couple of nights when on overnight flights. The latest dental exam pronounced my hygiene immaculate based on about three times per day plus the trays which is almost always the first thing the dentist and hygienists ask about. I do these at night just before retiring and so the fluoride stays on all night (trays themselves only a few minutes actually).

    Doug
  • RonJ552002
    RonJ552002 Member Posts: 12
    #5
    Goalie said:

    before, during, after
    Well, they had me get my trays before starting so that I could use them during the actual zapping. This was supposedly so that they would help protect the gums, etc. from the bouncearound. They made sure they were in when fitting the mask. We didn't have the fluoride in then, of course, as that would probably have caused the meager saliva I had to flow which would have been uncomfortable being strapped down and all.

    But I used them every night during treatment and since. I have only missed a couple of nights when on overnight flights. The latest dental exam pronounced my hygiene immaculate based on about three times per day plus the trays which is almost always the first thing the dentist and hygienists ask about. I do these at night just before retiring and so the fluoride stays on all night (trays themselves only a few minutes actually).

    Doug

    Thanks for the comments.
    Thanks for the comments. I'll meet with the Radiology team tomorrow and ask a few more questions.

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