TEETH BEING EXTRACTED!

Matt29
Matt29 Member Posts: 62
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
hi everybody my name is Matt I'm 29 years old, tomorrow i have to get 20 teeth extracted and a chemo port put in i think this is going to make my treatment a lot harder to deal with and having no teeth will be a big confident and emotional issue for me please give me some words of encouragement the closer it gets the more anxiety i have thank you.

Comments

  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #2
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you are having to go through this! I know having a cancer diagnosis is bad enough, but it must feel like they are addingbinsult to injury by also extracting so many teeth. I think that dentists and oral surgeons have come a long way and that although this seems terrible now, it may be better in long run. I have heard that if you have teeth that aren't great it's better to have them out before radiation. I think you'll be glad that you did this now instead of having to go through more painful procedures after your cancer treatment is done. I know lots of people who wear dentures and it's almost impossible to tell a difference between those and real teeth. And, if your jaw bone is healthy enough after radiation you could always get some implants. My grandmother had the first step in those the other day and she said that it was a little uncomfortable but not as bad as other things she has had done. I know this may not mean much coming from me because I didn't have teeth pulled so I don't know exactly how you feel, but getting through cancer treatment is the most important thing right now. Think I've read before that you have a young baby. I also have a daughter who is under a year. Your baby and wife need you! They will love you just the same with false teeth but they can't love on you if you aren't here!! You will get through this. Praying fr you, Matt!
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #3
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you are having to go through this! I know having a cancer diagnosis is bad enough, but it must feel like they are addingbinsult to injury by also extracting so many teeth. I think that dentists and oral surgeons have come a long way and that although this seems terrible now, it may be better in long run. I have heard that if you have teeth that aren't great it's better to have them out before radiation. I think you'll be glad that you did this now instead of having to go through more painful procedures after your cancer treatment is done. I know lots of people who wear dentures and it's almost impossible to tell a difference between those and real teeth. And, if your jaw bone is healthy enough after radiation you could always get some implants. My grandmother had the first step in those the other day and she said that it was a little uncomfortable but not as bad as other things she has had done. I know this may not mean much coming from me because I didn't have teeth pulled so I don't know exactly how you feel, but getting through cancer treatment is the most important thing right now. Think I've read before that you have a young baby. I also have a daughter who is under a year. Your baby and wife need you! They will love you just the same with false teeth but they can't love on you if you aren't here!! You will get through this. Praying fr you, Matt!
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #4
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you
    Matt, 'm so sorry that you are having to go through this! I know having a cancer diagnosis is bad enough, but it must feel like they are addingbinsult to injury by also extracting so many teeth. I think that dentists and oral surgeons have come a long way and that although this seems terrible now, it may be better in long run. I have heard that if you have teeth that aren't great it's better to have them out before radiation. I think you'll be glad that you did this now instead of having to go through more painful procedures after your cancer treatment is done. I know lots of people who wear dentures and it's almost impossible to tell a difference between those and real teeth. And, if your jaw bone is healthy enough after radiation you could always get some implants. My grandmother had the first step in those the other day and she said that it was a little uncomfortable but not as bad as other things she has had done. I know this may not mean much coming from me because I didn't have teeth pulled so I don't know exactly how you feel, but getting through cancer treatment is the most important thing right now. Think I've read before that you have a young baby. I also have a daughter who is under a year. Your baby and wife need you! They will love you just the same with false teeth but they can't love on you if you aren't here!! You will get through this. Praying fr you, Matt!
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #5
    Sorry about the duplicate
    Sorry about the duplicate replies! My Internet is being finicky this morning!:)
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #6
    getting ready
    Matt, listening to your doctors is a very important thing. I know this is hard and your young age makes appearance an issue for you.

    I can tell you my husband, at 52, listened and had all teeth extracted. Their quality was never very good in spite of constant vigilance and care. Today, he is 18 months post-treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer and is enjoying food and eating more than he has in many years.

    The interim, waiting to be fitted for dentures, goes more quickly than you might think. You are so busy with treatments and recovery.

    Jim also had a port put in place: it made the chemo a breeze as far as administration and in spite of the level of Cisplatin they warned they were using on Jim, because he took his anti-nausea medication and all others faithfully as the doctors directed, he had very minimal nausea and never stopped eating.

    This is a great site with a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people who have been at this much longer than Jim and I: come back and let us know how you are doing.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Second Opinion...
    Matt, not sure if you have read the recommendations on your other posts or not.

    But several (including myself) have recommended a second opinion on the teeth issues. Unless you already have existing teeth issues, I'd get other opinions first.

    Myself and several others (all much older than yourself) have went through treatment retaining our teeth.

    I myself went through sixteen weeks of four different types of chemo, including Cisplatin. Seven weeks of that was concurrent with 35 daily rads sessions, BTW that was in 2009. All dental check-ups have been good with no cavities, one crown, but that isn't unusual for me.

    I've actually only known a few out of many people on this forum that have had all of their teeth pulled before treatment..none of which are as young as yourself.

    So even though we all recommend listening to your MD's, there is a point that if it doesn't sound or seem right, you always have the options for other opinions.

    When it boils down to it, it's your life, and you have to live with the long term, nobody else.

    If you do end up having your teeth pulled, you'll still do fine, younger is better I'm sure concerning recovery and longevity.

    Just remember, teeth don't make you who you are...you can always take care of your smile after the fact. You have to survive treatment and kicking cancer azz first.

    BTW, I've mentioned it several times (if you've missed it), I'm just over in Lakeland.

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John
  • LDuguay
    LDuguay Member Posts: 2
    #8
    Teeth Extraction
    After getting radiation for throat cancer to years ago, I was advised I had to get all my teeth pulled. I just spent 4 weeks of 2-hrs/day in a tanks to get prepared (I'm a bleeder).2 weeks ago, I had all my teeth pulled. Now they've discovered that 5 of the openings are not closing/healing, so I'm waiting what can be done. I went through chemo and radiation, so I will survive this as well, I never thought I would look forward to getting dentures !, but I do now :) I'm reaching out to anybody that this might have happened too and is there anything I can do or take to help the healing of the skin over the bone? My name is Leo, 59 yrs old.
  • LDuguay
    LDuguay Member Posts: 2
    #9
    Teeth Extraction
    After getting radiation for throat cancer to years ago, I was advised I had to get all my teeth pulled. I just spent 4 weeks of 2-hrs/day in a tanks to get prepared (I'm a bleeder).2 weeks ago, I had all my teeth pulled. Now they've discovered that 5 of the openings are not closing/healing, so I'm waiting what can be done. I went through chemo and radiation, so I will survive this as well, I never thought I would look forward to getting dentures !, but I do now :) I'm reaching out to anybody that this might have happened too and is there anything I can do or take to help the healing of the skin over the bone? My name is Leo, 59 yrs old.
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #10
    LDuguay said:

    Teeth Extraction
    After getting radiation for throat cancer to years ago, I was advised I had to get all my teeth pulled. I just spent 4 weeks of 2-hrs/day in a tanks to get prepared (I'm a bleeder).2 weeks ago, I had all my teeth pulled. Now they've discovered that 5 of the openings are not closing/healing, so I'm waiting what can be done. I went through chemo and radiation, so I will survive this as well, I never thought I would look forward to getting dentures !, but I do now :) I'm reaching out to anybody that this might have happened too and is there anything I can do or take to help the healing of the skin over the bone? My name is Leo, 59 yrs old.

    Leo
    Wow, they really pulled all your teeth at once, after radiation? That is a setup for trouble. I am guessing your "tank" was hyperbaric oxygen treatments? You should still be getting those post extraction. And if you arent healing theynshould have increased to the next hyperbaroc protocal. This means higher pressure, longer duration. Who is running your healthcare?


    Pat
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #11
    LDuguay said:

    Teeth Extraction
    After getting radiation for throat cancer to years ago, I was advised I had to get all my teeth pulled. I just spent 4 weeks of 2-hrs/day in a tanks to get prepared (I'm a bleeder).2 weeks ago, I had all my teeth pulled. Now they've discovered that 5 of the openings are not closing/healing, so I'm waiting what can be done. I went through chemo and radiation, so I will survive this as well, I never thought I would look forward to getting dentures !, but I do now :) I'm reaching out to anybody that this might have happened too and is there anything I can do or take to help the healing of the skin over the bone? My name is Leo, 59 yrs old.

    Teeth
    Matt,

    At your young age it is very unfortunate having all your teeth pulled. But like everyone said, getting rid of the cancer is your #1 priority right now.

    Don't worry too much about your appearance because once you start treatment you won't be going out in public except for treatments and seeing your doctors. Once the dust has settled then see when you can be fit for the new dentures. A lot of my friends have them and I can't really tell the difference. What choice do you have anyway? Just let it go and take whatever is coming up next. Your life is what is most important right now.

    Heal Well,

    Tom

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