Teeth problems

michdjp
michdjp Member Posts: 220
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello to all, My dad is 5/12 years from chem and radiation treatment to his tonsil. One problem we are having is his teeth just break off, come out whole or have been grinded down as a result of a root canal. The only treatment I have been offered is to go in the hyperbaric chamber to try to promote bone growth. Has anyone else had this problem? And are there any other possible treatments? His swallowing is ok certain things he cannot eat but i am grateful that he is able to eat somewhat. I am getting worried that what little he can eat is going to become a problem without teeth. Thank you

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited April 2018 #2
    radiation: the gift that keeps on giving

    Hi michdjp,

    I have not been down the teeth trouble road, but lots of members have and just like you described.  I have heard of 20, 30 or many more dives in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber prior to teeth work.  I suppose  that is one of the reasons they get after us to address all teeth issues prior to treatments.

    I have been fortunate.  My dentist and radiation onc spoke before my first zap (I guess everything was ok because I got the green light for 35 sessions.

    I am glad he is doing well.  Hopefully, this issue will be capped off to carry him through many Thanksgiving yet to come.

    Matt

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #3
    CivilMatt said:

    radiation: the gift that keeps on giving

    Hi michdjp,

    I have not been down the teeth trouble road, but lots of members have and just like you described.  I have heard of 20, 30 or many more dives in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber prior to teeth work.  I suppose  that is one of the reasons they get after us to address all teeth issues prior to treatments.

    I have been fortunate.  My dentist and radiation onc spoke before my first zap (I guess everything was ok because I got the green light for 35 sessions.

    I am glad he is doing well.  Hopefully, this issue will be capped off to carry him through many Thanksgiving yet to come.

    Matt

    Thank you Matt and I'm glad
    Thank you Matt and I'm glad to hear you teeth are good. We had his teeth checked prior to treatment and my dad had 33 IMRT and cisplatin and carbo 5fu.. I have often heard that phrase the gift that keeps on giving and was soo hoping his teeth would be ok. It just doesn't seem right after such a grueling treatment to have this happen. I found a dentist in New Jersey that I may try as he specializes in necrosis of the gums which is what I think happened from the dry mouth/treatments. My Dad was going through treatments during Thanksgiving and it was just devastating to see him eat through a peg and not at the table,with us. I am truly thankful that he is able to eat again but just wish he didn't have to go through this. Thank you so much for your replay.
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    New Rule #1

    m,

    I could not agree with you more. I think all of us who go through this treatment (including caregivers and no one else, unless supported by good evidence) should be given a lifetime tax break, a coupon good anytime for a DQ Blizzard and maybe a Tesla to drive.  AND yes, our teeth should be good to go.

    Maybe, instead of the continuous debate about PEG or not to PEG we just get a family deal and plumb everyone for a food drip exercise like the world has never seen.

    I am talking crazy, it is time to get some lunch, my goodness it is 2:04pm.  Tell you what I will pretend I am having teeth difficulty and will only gum and swallow.

    Your friend from Oregon.

    Matt

  • Jussie
    Jussie Member Posts: 1
    #5
    Ive not been diagnosed with

    Ive not been diagnosed with any oral cancer,its a fear. But a dentist suggested 4years ago long story not relevant. I have all my teeth removed. I only use my gums to eat. I can eat most foods meat apples. I can't eat any nuts. But gums do become harder. And able to break down foods after a few months. I put cashew nuts in a blender while ago when I really wanted some.

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 384 Member
    #6
    Just out of curiousity, how

    Just out of curiousity, how is your father's condition when it comes to drymouth?  I use a standard toothpaste and follow with a floride gel.  I was told my drop in saliva would increase tooth problems, and that floride gel would now be standard.  Nightly tooth care is now a wash with waterpick to get rid of pieces, then a brush with a standard floride toothpaste, then a coat of prescription floride gel.  I now also do a bunch of xylimelts every day.

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #7
    AnotherSurvivor said:

    Just out of curiousity, how

    Just out of curiousity, how is your father's condition when it comes to drymouth?  I use a standard toothpaste and follow with a floride gel.  I was told my drop in saliva would increase tooth problems, and that floride gel would now be standard.  Nightly tooth care is now a wash with waterpick to get rid of pieces, then a brush with a standard floride toothpaste, then a coat of prescription floride gel.  I now also do a bunch of xylimelts every day.

    My dad has some dry mouth but
    My dad has some dry mouth but does not need to carry a water bottle around as some do. He uses the water pick also..
  • BJNsmith53
    BJNsmith53 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2018 #8
    teeth problems

    Hello, I too have had the 35 radiation treatments and my dentist won't touch me until I go to the oxygen chamber.  I was fortunate that I find a multi chamber that can hold up to 12 people at a time which was good since I don't like being closed in!  I wish now I had stayed with the oxygen treatment but at the time I didn't think I needed it.  So I only did 17 of the 60 that they wanted.   Now I feel like the bone in my gums are shrinking.  My teeth started out ok and I was able to eat but as the years went on I started losing some and some breaking off and then my swallowing got worse. I finally starting losing so much weight that I had to go on the feeding tube because I couldn't eat enough or couldn't get enough down my throat to keep me going.  Been on a tube for 3years now but I haven't lost any more teeth since 6years ago.  The ones I have left are either rotten or full of cavities but they don't hurt or sensitive I guess because nothing goes in my mouth.  If I can ever get enough money up I am going to get my teeth pulled and have implants put in to hold a set of dentures.  But dental insurance doesn't pay that much and the dentist around here won't work with me.  Anyway I suggest do what you can as soon as you can because each year will bring another set of problems with radiation.  I don't won't to sound like a downer but if someone had told me some of the things I see now back when I had it done I might not be in the shape I am in now.  May GOD Bless you on this journey but He will never leave you always remember that.

  • BJNsmith53
    BJNsmith53 Member Posts: 8
    #9
    teeth problems

    read my next comment

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