Teeth care vs gag reflex

Mattie65
Mattie65 Member Posts: 82 Member
edited December 2020 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have another very important question that worries me a lot. I'm finishing my radiation treatment, and I'm very worried about teeth care.

Had my teeth professionally cleaned and fixed before radiation. None extracted. Got some tray made, which I used until a week ago.

Then, my neck started swelling on one side, to a point where I have to gag from coughing, or just moving. Since then, brushing the inside of my teeth has become merely impossible. As soon as the toothbrush reaches the last molars, I gag. It's impossible to brush them like I would probably need to. Using the trays have become impossible too. So I brush over them quickly, gag, then keep the high fluoride toothpaste in my mouth for a while. Next, I use a mouthwash (without alcohol) which is supposed to prevent bacteria from building up.

I'm scared of moving towards a catastrophe. Still, doing my best to keep those teeth clean, but always with a feeling it won't be enough. Any ideas or good thoughts?

Comments

  • ProustLover
    ProustLover Member Posts: 121 Member
    edited December 2020 #2
    Doing what you can

    Dear Mattie:  You are doing what you can right now.  The special toothpaste and mouthwash are helping,  For now, you still have to endure the time period after radiation ends.  They don't always let you know about that.  For some folks, like my husband (who went through all this almost 3 years ago) the week to 10 days after radiation can be challenging.  The mucus can really kick in.  After that, things will slowly improve.  Do what you can realistically do right now, and try not to let your mind  careen to future catastrophes.  In my husband's case, his teeth have been fine since treatment.  He was never given trays, and I don't believe he even started the fluoride until afterwards.  I'm guessing you're not consuming too much sugar and  candy right now, and you're staying hydrated.  You're doing what you realistically can.  Sending you our best this holiday week...Try to keep that optimism intact...this too shall pass!

  • Mattie65
    Mattie65 Member Posts: 82 Member
    #3
    ProustLover said:

    Doing what you can

    Dear Mattie:  You are doing what you can right now.  The special toothpaste and mouthwash are helping,  For now, you still have to endure the time period after radiation ends.  They don't always let you know about that.  For some folks, like my husband (who went through all this almost 3 years ago) the week to 10 days after radiation can be challenging.  The mucus can really kick in.  After that, things will slowly improve.  Do what you can realistically do right now, and try not to let your mind  careen to future catastrophes.  In my husband's case, his teeth have been fine since treatment.  He was never given trays, and I don't believe he even started the fluoride until afterwards.  I'm guessing you're not consuming too much sugar and  candy right now, and you're staying hydrated.  You're doing what you realistically can.  Sending you our best this holiday week...Try to keep that optimism intact...this too shall pass!

    Thanks for your kind answer

    Yes, I'm doing what I can. Trying to stay off sugar as much as possible. I still crave fizzy drinks, but I couldn't taste anything else than sugar, any way. Apart from that, it's water and occasionally green tea. A cup of coffee in the morning, that doesn't require sugar, as the sweet taste is already permanently in my mouth.

    I do my best to keep my mind off future catastrophes. I probably just have too much time to think about what could go wrong, and no one to take my mind off my problems, for the most part.

    It's good to hear that your husband is well. I already heard about the 7-10 days aftermath, so I'm prepared.  Not such a long time until I can finally start to crawl out of this half year of discomfort. My mood is always good, despite all that's happened. I know from experience that after a hard time, there will be a time of strength and opportunities. This is how it has always been so far, so: no reason for sorrow.

    All the best to you.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 446 Member
    edited December 2020 #4
    Its just these few weeks,

    Its just these few weeks, they dont tell you how bad it's going to be at the end of Rads. Do the best you can - if I remember, its literally, 2 - 3 weeks

     

  • Mattie65
    Mattie65 Member Posts: 82 Member
    #5
    SuzJ said:

    Its just these few weeks,

    Its just these few weeks, they dont tell you how bad it's going to be at the end of Rads. Do the best you can - if I remember, its literally, 2 - 3 weeks

     

    We'll see

    I don't feel anything worsening, right now. But I'm prepared.

  • sunshine_64
    sunshine_64 Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2020 #6
    teeth care recommendation

    Hi Mattie65: I am 8 1/2 years out from treatment (stage 4, HPV positive, single tonsil tumor, metastasized to both sides of neck). I had all kinds of mouth sores & gum issues, but found that water floss use (with lukewarm to warm water) was extremely soothing and useful. I used a straw to eat my Ensure meals throughout radiation and chemo. I still use the hydro-floss machine daily and think it has saved my teeth! Good luck! I also agree with the others who said that the period just post-radiation is awful, and you may need a mucus-removing machine to get through it.

  • Mattie65
    Mattie65 Member Posts: 82 Member
    edited December 2020 #7
    sunshine_64 said:

    teeth care recommendation

    Hi Mattie65: I am 8 1/2 years out from treatment (stage 4, HPV positive, single tonsil tumor, metastasized to both sides of neck). I had all kinds of mouth sores & gum issues, but found that water floss use (with lukewarm to warm water) was extremely soothing and useful. I used a straw to eat my Ensure meals throughout radiation and chemo. I still use the hydro-floss machine daily and think it has saved my teeth! Good luck! I also agree with the others who said that the period just post-radiation is awful, and you may need a mucus-removing machine to get through it.

    Hey Sunshine_64

    Thanks for the good advice. I purchased a Waterpik, but the cheaper, mobile version, and I feel like I should perhaps get the better, wall-mounted one. Also, I don't remember the jet being that intense when my parents bought our first Waterpik, in the 70s. Apart from that, I am able to eat, if I can get past the Trismus (Jaw lock) which is still quite strong.

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