Ug... tops on teeth need to be added again- Tooth Guard Question

But I am about your age and do have teeth that need filled or pulled now and then and fillings coming loose and need to be refilled. I attribute some to aging, some to cancer care, and some to not being diligent when I was younger. Your investment is a good one because once we lose them they are gone and false teeth although well made and fitted are good they are just never the same.. It's a worthwhile investment but I think at some point you have asked yourself do I keep going this way or just try to maintain my teeth and as I lose them finally get false teeth. Dave with these tops are they like covers or an epoxy? And how long do they last I see you say you had a couple redone?

Logan51 said:

wc

Not sure what the stuff is, but it gets put on the tops like it should be- then the dental aide zaps it with heating element 3 times. Should have and can ask what it is. As for how long each lasts- around 2-4 years on teeth used often when eating, which is one of the reasons I have changed my diet to very soft foods and the 3-Ensure breakfasts.

My heart goes out to ya, sorry you have this problem with your teeth. Too bad it is not a permanent fix at $200 a tooth. If you find out what it is called that may help others with an idea that may help their situation. As far as I can tell I don't have the same thing going on as my dentist has never mentioned anything like it. By the way, I printed out your original post on this and gave it to my dentist for his information. My teeth are holding up surprisingly well for the most part but since treatment, I do a lot of extra dental maintenance and get my teeth cleaned every 6 months and they coat them with whatever fluoride treatment the dentist has. My 4 front uppers though had caps on and they were probably put on at least 30-35 years ago and finally over the years decay can sneak in underneath the edge and the base basically holding the cap breaks off. I think this is probably normal aging-not sure I guess less saliva could play a role in some of this. So the 4 are gone and now I have a small partial plate for the 4 front upper. Just last week I had to have a lower molar pulled as my jaw swelled up from the tooth being infected. Seems we all have different degrees of tooth problems on here. Take care-God Bless

I will ask at support meeting tomorrow if anyone was told about teeth protection during radiation.

I had Flouride Trays made in Sept of 2004 when talking with the Cancer Dentist. He instructed me to wear the Trays during my Radiation treatments, both upper and lower trays. I am not sure if these are considered to be protective trays, but he said that it will help my teeth from the Radiation. 

I used the Trays for roughly 5 years and then was switched to another Dentist. The new Dentist had me stop the Trays and use the Flouride Gel via toothbrush. Told to do the same daily routine, use the Flouride and let it sit on my teeth for 30 minutes before rinsing. It has helped for the most part, had a few cavities over the years, and a couple of caps due to me biting on some hard Pretzels years ago, learned my lesson on that.. 

My Best to You and Everyone Here

Dave K, my husband had his treatment July- October of 2012.  His teeth guards were not the fluoride trays but  were made specifically to help protect his teeth and tissues of his mouth from radiation burns.  He was told the fillings in his teeth could cause some mouth burns.  The Floriide trays were recommended for after treatment and he does not use these.  

Logan51 said:

Thank yous

Marine- will make a copy of your post and give to my Dentist. Where did you get your Rads- the hospital or city? Thank you.

Thank you again, Darcy.

I received my Radiation at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I live in the suburbs and drove myself to each of them (30). 

I was diagnosed with squamous  cell carcinoma hpv last summer. Primary tumor  was on the back of my tongue and 1 cancerous lymph node in my neck.I am 5 months post treatment now (NED).

I was sent to a dentist before my radiation started to have my teeth checked. The dentist told me l did not need a fluoride  tray but to begin using  the high strength  fluoride  toothpaste....."Colgate Prevident  Booster Plus " a few times a day. I still use it now and will continue for the rest of my life. You brush your teeth with only toothpaste.....no water and let it sit in your mouth for 10 minutes  then spit out . You must not eat or drink for 30 minutes

However,  when l went to get fitted for my mask the technician  said he wanted to make me a mouth guard as well. The guard for my teeth just resembled  a mouth guard l used to wear when l played hockey . So, that's what l used during treatment. There was obviously a difference  of opinion between  my dentist and radiation technition  but l wasn't going to argue about the added protection.

So far my teeth and gums are okay .

Sorry too hear about your dental issues. I wish you all the best in fighting these dreaded side affects.

EllenG. said:

MarineE5 and Dave K

I am currently undergoing radiation treatment for ENB (Olfactory Neuroblastoma) and I go to a special prosthodontic dentist here in LA who made a mouth guard that I wear during treatment that is primarily for protecting my tongue, but I also have trays for nightly fluoride treatments that I leave in for 5 minutes and then don't rinse my mouth for 30 minutes after treatment.  I understand that I will be on the fluoride trays for some time after radiation is completed, but I am surprised to hear that MarineE5 used the trays for so long after treatment.  Did you use them daily for 5 years? My radiation treatment will be completed in a week and I have lots of questions regarding what to expect post treatment.  I'm glad to see so many topics in these forums that pertain to me.

I was never told to use any kind of mouth guard during radiation, but I had my dental trays made about midway through and like many/most here was instructed to use those trays just as you were every day for the rest of my life.