Dental Question for Billie67 and/or those without teeth

lorig01
lorig01 Member Posts: 83
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

HI. I am 5 months out from Tonsil cancer treatment.  Prior to treatment I had all of my teeth removed.  I saw in a previous post  that you said that debris below the gum line can cause loss of bone, etc.   If you do not have teeth how can you prevent debris in gum line?  I brush my tongue after meals and rinse with biotene mouthwash but should I be doing more to prevent jaw problems?  Thanks for any help.  I have asked my dentist and she usually says brush your tongue. Just want to make sure that I am doing all I can to prevent problems.

Comments

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #2
    Lorig
    If you have dentures your tissues are sealed and debri shouldn't have a way to get in via the spaces between the teeth and gums. As long as you don't have any abrasions or sores in your mouth you should be ok. Make sure if you get any hot spots from your dentures you go and have them adjusted as soon as you can. Keep your mouth and tongue clean by at least rinsing after meals.

    We all will gradually have a little bit of bone loss as we age, that's normal for our aging process. Just make sure your dentures keep fitting you.

    Sounds like you're doing all the right things :-)
    Billie
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #3
    dentures also

    Hi Lorig:

    Ditto what Billie says above.... you don't have to worry about anything getting caught in the gums.  I have full dentures also and my dentist says the same things....and brushing your tongue is a good habit to get into.

    Although we don't have the same problems as others who have been able to keep their teeth, I still obsess about oral care.

    Sounds like you are doing all the right things.

    Ingrid

  • lorig01
    lorig01 Member Posts: 83
    #4
    Ingrid K said:

    dentures also

    Hi Lorig:

    Ditto what Billie says above.... you don't have to worry about anything getting caught in the gums.  I have full dentures also and my dentist says the same things....and brushing your tongue is a good habit to get into.

    Although we don't have the same problems as others who have been able to keep their teeth, I still obsess about oral care.

    Sounds like you are doing all the right things.

    Ingrid

    Thanks for the answers!

    I have been stressing about that for a while. I feel much better now that you guys answered my question. I appreciate it!

Discussion Boards