Status Update & Question about oral pain

GRAVEY
GRAVEY Member Posts: 83
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hey everyone,
I have got my first clean 3 month PET/CT scan a week or so ago, the doc said he saw some pixalized spot on one of my lungs, but didnt seem to be too concerned with it and said in his op. it just looked inflammatory, like I had a bronchial infection or something, which, I did have one that I got from my daughter, she attends pre K, and she is always bringing something home. I also have a visit with my ENT tomorrow to hopefully discuss getting my feeding tube out, they said they usually wait around a year for the port to come out, but I havent used my peg in over two months and can eat regular food, and have put on at least five pounds since I bottomed out.
So now my question, I have over the past couple of days started to experience pain in my lower teeth, my teeth are really sensative to temperatures, and it feels like the roots just hurt. I have been using Biotene toothpaste, but I havent been doing my flouride trays. I know, bad me, but I never really experience any dental issues until now. I dont have any cavities, and the dentist didnt have to pull any teeth on my pre treatment checkup.
So I dont know. Anyone else experiencing this?

Thanks in advance,
And God Bless Everyone,
GRAVEY

Comments

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #2
    Dental Pain
    Not really. Did have a root canal, post-treatment, but only because of a problem with one specific tooth. Do have significant tooth problems w/loss of enamel, and did lose one heckuva lotta gum tissue, but the pain you describe- I've not experienced such. Might wanna consider a Periodontist. I still use Prevident toothpaste, and Biotene mouthwash.

    kcass
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #3
    Dental sensitivity
    First things first: congratulations on an all clear! I would make a note to ask OncoMan about those 'pixalized spots' following your next scan, that is, to ask what their status is: if they haven't grown, it is highly probable, as he suggested, that they are scar tissue (bronchitis, previous pneumonia episode, smoking, etc). In the meantime, if he is not worried about them then I would not be either.

    As for dental sensitivity, I had surgery prior to the rads and chemo so I cannot say for sure which is most responsible, but I did, indeed, experience sensitivity, similar to what you describe. In fact, as I have over the last few months begun to eat totally without a tube I have found that it has become more noticeable, particularly with certain foods and, oddly, not all of the time.

    I will be seeing my dentist within the next week or so and am somewhat worried that he might tell me I need all of my teeth removed, such is the level of pain on occasion (as you indicate, it sometimes feels like it is coming from the very roots).

    In my case, it is true that they split my lower jaw and thus the lower set of teeth at the midpoint during the surgery and I am convinced they didn't hook it all back up exactly the way it was. So there is that. And they did yank my wisdom teeth and a couple of molars prior to the surgery.

    But, yes, I have experienced and do experience the same sensations.

    I would encourage you to make those fluoride trays the part of your daily regimen they were prescribed to be. And I would make an appointment for ToothMan if you have not seen him since before treatment.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #4
    soccerfreaks said:

    Dental sensitivity
    First things first: congratulations on an all clear! I would make a note to ask OncoMan about those 'pixalized spots' following your next scan, that is, to ask what their status is: if they haven't grown, it is highly probable, as he suggested, that they are scar tissue (bronchitis, previous pneumonia episode, smoking, etc). In the meantime, if he is not worried about them then I would not be either.

    As for dental sensitivity, I had surgery prior to the rads and chemo so I cannot say for sure which is most responsible, but I did, indeed, experience sensitivity, similar to what you describe. In fact, as I have over the last few months begun to eat totally without a tube I have found that it has become more noticeable, particularly with certain foods and, oddly, not all of the time.

    I will be seeing my dentist within the next week or so and am somewhat worried that he might tell me I need all of my teeth removed, such is the level of pain on occasion (as you indicate, it sometimes feels like it is coming from the very roots).

    In my case, it is true that they split my lower jaw and thus the lower set of teeth at the midpoint during the surgery and I am convinced they didn't hook it all back up exactly the way it was. So there is that. And they did yank my wisdom teeth and a couple of molars prior to the surgery.

    But, yes, I have experienced and do experience the same sensations.

    I would encourage you to make those fluoride trays the part of your daily regimen they were prescribed to be. And I would make an appointment for ToothMan if you have not seen him since before treatment.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Lack of Saliva
    HI Gravey & congratulations on your All Clear !

    Re the teeth, I find I have the same issue as you. I also brush with Biotene TPaste and I aslo use the Biotene rinse whenever I think about it and clean my teeth 3-5 times a day and floss each nite. I alway use a tiny bit of the Biotene mouth wash after each brushing (& whenever..) and while I spit it out, I do NOT rinse with water, so I leave the residual amount of the active enzyme in the wash in my mouth.

    My dentist also gave me a calcium Gel call 'GC Gel'. I rub it around the base of all my teeth every night and this is supposed to help beef up the tooth enamel and help avoid corrosion. Can you let us know if you suffer the dry mouth/ Saliva issue ??

    Tx
    Scambuster
  • GRAVEY
    GRAVEY Member Posts: 83
    #5
    Scambuster said:

    Lack of Saliva
    HI Gravey & congratulations on your All Clear !

    Re the teeth, I find I have the same issue as you. I also brush with Biotene TPaste and I aslo use the Biotene rinse whenever I think about it and clean my teeth 3-5 times a day and floss each nite. I alway use a tiny bit of the Biotene mouth wash after each brushing (& whenever..) and while I spit it out, I do NOT rinse with water, so I leave the residual amount of the active enzyme in the wash in my mouth.

    My dentist also gave me a calcium Gel call 'GC Gel'. I rub it around the base of all my teeth every night and this is supposed to help beef up the tooth enamel and help avoid corrosion. Can you let us know if you suffer the dry mouth/ Saliva issue ??

    Tx
    Scambuster

    Oh yeah Scam, I have no
    Oh yeah Scam, I have no saliva. I have found though, and take note people, Trident Layers Green Apple and Pinapple gum, its the only one Ive found that makes my mouth water like a faucet when I chew it. Ive tried about five other gums so far, and NONE of them make my mouth water, I even tried the other Trident layers flavor, it only makes my mouth dryer. I have gotten back about 75% of my taste buds, but no saliva.


    GRAVEY
  • Coupe35
    Coupe35 Member Posts: 45
    #6
    Kent Cass said:

    Dental Pain
    Not really. Did have a root canal, post-treatment, but only because of a problem with one specific tooth. Do have significant tooth problems w/loss of enamel, and did lose one heckuva lotta gum tissue, but the pain you describe- I've not experienced such. Might wanna consider a Periodontist. I still use Prevident toothpaste, and Biotene mouthwash.

    kcass

    Insurance
    When a person has to have dental work done prior to radiation, removing teeth or whatever, does medical insurance pay for it. Or do you have to have dental insurance.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #7
    Coupe35 said:

    Insurance
    When a person has to have dental work done prior to radiation, removing teeth or whatever, does medical insurance pay for it. Or do you have to have dental insurance.

    Paying for ToothMan
    I would suppose that the extent of your particular medical insurance would decide it, but I have very good medical insurance and my dental care was covered instead by dental insurance, except that when my dental care evolved into the need for a surgical ToothMan I was suddenly on my own. (Trismus was the reason my own ToothMan could not handle the task, that and the apparent fact I needed a 'panoramic xray'.)

    It may be that I could have fought my medical insurance company, but I did not. I came out of pocket for that one.

    I feel like once dental stuff goes seriously surgicial one's medical insurance should be involved. It is similar to the way I feel about how therapy should be provided and covered from the initial diagnosis.

    No one has asked me, however.

    Take care,

    Joe

Discussion Boards