SKIN CARE AND DENTAL CARE PREVENTION

luv4lacrosse
luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I just completed my first Radiaition today and start my first Chemo next Monday. I am looking for advice on products to use to keep the radiaited skin as soft as possible, I am using Caphosol mouth rinse 3 times a day to guard against or to minimize the mouthsores. Would it also be good to get a prescription high flouride tooth paste of stick with what I am using now?
I have the nutrition part down very well as long as I can manage the pain as I get through this journey.

Any tips of suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Comments

  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #2
    Good Questions
    We put aloe vera gel on my husband's neck area every day after radiation. Kept it very moist. He had no problems with burning or splitting of skin until the last couple of treatments and he only had a very small place. They also have a prescription cream called "silvadone" that the doc may give him if he needs it. Our RO said Bob didn't need it.

    Dental Care - Bob was given a special flouride toothpaste and tray by his dentist. He didn't use the tray for long, but used the flouride toothpaste throughout the treatments. He now uses biotene toothpaste and a flouride toothpaste. I think he needs to be using something from the dentist, but he won't listen to me.

    Pain - Fentanyl patches worked wonders for Bob as his pain increased. I think he had 25 mg patches. They kind of messed with his stomach, but he said it was worth it for the pain control.

    Hang in there, this time will be over sooner than you realize.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #3
    kimmygarland said:

    Good Questions
    We put aloe vera gel on my husband's neck area every day after radiation. Kept it very moist. He had no problems with burning or splitting of skin until the last couple of treatments and he only had a very small place. They also have a prescription cream called "silvadone" that the doc may give him if he needs it. Our RO said Bob didn't need it.

    Dental Care - Bob was given a special flouride toothpaste and tray by his dentist. He didn't use the tray for long, but used the flouride toothpaste throughout the treatments. He now uses biotene toothpaste and a flouride toothpaste. I think he needs to be using something from the dentist, but he won't listen to me.

    Pain - Fentanyl patches worked wonders for Bob as his pain increased. I think he had 25 mg patches. They kind of messed with his stomach, but he said it was worth it for the pain control.

    Hang in there, this time will be over sooner than you realize.

    GOOD ADVICE
    I see my Doc this Friday. I will run all of this by him.

    BEST!!

    Mike
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #4
    Dentist, doctor...
    My dentist gave me Prevident toothpaste. It's very high fluoride. Some over the counter fluoride pastes have the wrong pH, and aren't as good for the teeth and shouldn't be used in fluoride trays.

    My radiation doctor prescribed Biafine ointment for me. It was quite strong, and worked really well late in the treatment, when the skin started reddening and burning.

    Deb
  • rush1958
    rush1958 Member Posts: 223 Member
    #5
    Skin and dental care
    Mike,

    For skin care, I used a tube of Aloe Vera Gel - Alcohol Free, Fragrance Free and Color Free from Walgreens. They're $3 per tube or two tubes for $5. I only used one tube throughout treatment. I applied it two to three times a day.

    For dental care, my dentist gave me a prescription floride toothpaste for trays and for the toothbrush. I also used Close-up Gel to make my mouth taste better.

    I never got mouth sores, so I can't help you there. However, I did experience not being able to brush my teeth very effectively during certain phases of chemo because the toothbrush made me gag. It didn't last more than a few days at a time, but it was problematic.

    Rush
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    rush1958 said:

    Skin and dental care
    Mike,

    For skin care, I used a tube of Aloe Vera Gel - Alcohol Free, Fragrance Free and Color Free from Walgreens. They're $3 per tube or two tubes for $5. I only used one tube throughout treatment. I applied it two to three times a day.

    For dental care, my dentist gave me a prescription floride toothpaste for trays and for the toothbrush. I also used Close-up Gel to make my mouth taste better.

    I never got mouth sores, so I can't help you there. However, I did experience not being able to brush my teeth very effectively during certain phases of chemo because the toothbrush made me gag. It didn't last more than a few days at a time, but it was problematic.

    Rush

    Aquaphor
    for my skin, and only used magic mouthwash for my mouth, except for the stuff they gave me to prevent thrush.

    kcass
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Radiation Burns and Fluoride Treatments
    More than likely you're gonna get what you get concerning the rads...you can try different things as the situation dictates. There's a lot of things to help, depending on the severity. Things like Aloe Vera, Aquaphor, even as strong as Silvadene for sever burns.

    As for dental care, some on here like Delnative I believe use fluoride trays. My dentists gives me Oral B - STOP it's a Gel and I use it several times a week.

    I'm pretty much under the impression that the flouride treatments are now a way of life. I don't think that it's something that you want to stop doing. Your teeth will need a lot of care to stay healthy, especially with the lack of saliva production that you'll have.

    As for pain, it will more than likely just be the swallowing part. You should have some meds like the magic mouthwash, liquid hydrocodone, oxicotin, or percocets...I even had liquid morphine, but couldn't tolerate that.

    I usually just used the liquid meds to get the Ensure and water down (pretty much all I could injest those seven weeks - last four of rads, next three after finished with rads). Then I'd follow-up with a crushed percocet in a small amount of water to knock the edge off of the remaining pain.

    Others will chime in their thoughts and opinions...

    Best,
    John
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #8
    More stuff
    Mike,
    I, too used Aquaphor for my skin during treatment - docs later gave me biafine for a spot on my neck that opened up. Cool washcloths felt wonderful.
    I got Prevident toothpaste from my dentist - It's about ten bucks, but lasts a while. I used that and Biotene (over the counter) products. I also had a set of trays made, and dentist prescribed fluoride for the trays. I had to stop using the trays during treatment (pain). I did find that I was much more likely to gag on my oral hygiene products during treatment - hope it's not an issue for you. I was told to avoid products containing alcohol.
    My mouth got really tender for a while - I had to switch to an extra soft toothbrush during induction chemo. If you're not allowed to (or can't) floss, a Water Pic is great. My dentist recommended using it on a low setting only (his concern was that if you use high water pressure, if there is infection present, you could force it farther under the gum). It felt really nice (unless it hit a mouth sore).
    As for managing the pain to eat - ask your doc when your pain meds hit max effectiveness, and eat at that time. Ideally, I'd take hydrocodone then an hour, hour and half later I'd take lidocaine, then eat.
    Depending on your chemo, you also may want to make sure to keep your hands and feet moisturized - I'd grease up in the morning, and at night I'd put on petroleum jelly, then put on socks and gloves (cotton gloves made for moisturizing).
    Do well.
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #9
    dental care
    Hi Mike, Can't offer much help with the pain meds or the skin lotion/gel for the radiation.

    My dentist gave us Prevident Gel (1.1% sodium fluoride) to use with the fluoride trays. The toothpaste is from 3M, called Clinpro Tooth Creme (.21% sodium fluoride). I use this and also the Biotene as needed. I believe most common toothpastes have a much lower fluoride %.

    For mouth sores, preventative I used the salt/baking soda gargle numerous times daily. I also used the L-Glutamine (as recommended by Scam), gargle, swish around the mouth and then swallow. My dentist also provided a gel by the name of Solcoseryl for the few mouth sores that got passed all that gargling. This stuff worked wonders, eliminating any pain almost on contact. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    Clean Clean
    Keep your mouth clean! Brush and floss after any food/meals(at least three times a day) for the rest of your life. I use Bioteen dry mouth tooth paste. Keeping your mouth clean is the most important. Bioteen mouthwash several times a day.

    Sonic Care makes a tooth brush that moves up and down like we are taught when young on brushing teeth. This is the blessing for cleaning teeth.

    Dentist gave me a prescription fluoride with trays. Trays did not help and actually made it worse. I was sent to dentist's at Indiana University for special care to save teeth and they believe is brushing the fluoride in. It helps push it between the gums and teeth which is the hardest to keep clean.

    Durning treatments maybe hard for fluoride and may need to wait a while after treatments. But keeping them clean is a must.

    Now years post treatments I have added the water pick. This is a wonderful tool for hard to reach mostly for rinsing.

    My steps are

    1. use water pick to wash as much waste out of mouth

    2. brush with Sonic Care and Bioteen dry mouth tooth paste

    3. floss, floss floss

    4. use water pick to rinse more esp. the tooth paste out

    5. use Sonic Care brush with Fluoride treatment, let set in mouth without rinsing for 30 min. (twice daily mid morning and a must before bed)

    Good luck
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #11
    fisrpotpe said:

    Clean Clean
    Keep your mouth clean! Brush and floss after any food/meals(at least three times a day) for the rest of your life. I use Bioteen dry mouth tooth paste. Keeping your mouth clean is the most important. Bioteen mouthwash several times a day.

    Sonic Care makes a tooth brush that moves up and down like we are taught when young on brushing teeth. This is the blessing for cleaning teeth.

    Dentist gave me a prescription fluoride with trays. Trays did not help and actually made it worse. I was sent to dentist's at Indiana University for special care to save teeth and they believe is brushing the fluoride in. It helps push it between the gums and teeth which is the hardest to keep clean.

    Durning treatments maybe hard for fluoride and may need to wait a while after treatments. But keeping them clean is a must.

    Now years post treatments I have added the water pick. This is a wonderful tool for hard to reach mostly for rinsing.

    My steps are

    1. use water pick to wash as much waste out of mouth

    2. brush with Sonic Care and Bioteen dry mouth tooth paste

    3. floss, floss floss

    4. use water pick to rinse more esp. the tooth paste out

    5. use Sonic Care brush with Fluoride treatment, let set in mouth without rinsing for 30 min. (twice daily mid morning and a must before bed)

    Good luck

    Addition to Clean Clean
    I forgot to share I use the Sonic Tooth brush when cleaning only to brush and clean the top of your tongue, it helps take away the pastie feel on your tongue.
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #12
    cream for the face
    Jim had all teeth removed before radiation: he used a soft toothbrush to clean his mouth. He also rinsed daily with 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cool water. No mouth issues.

    For his face and neck: we used Udder Balm, available at Wal-Mart's. This is a nice, thick cream. This is not Udder Cream, it is Udder BALM - which is much thicker. Jim tolerated this well and we had no issues with skin problems at all.

    Hope this helps.

    Hugs!
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #13
    Dental Care
    I figure that as hard as I have to try and chew to swallow my food, the last thing I need is to lose my teeth. So, I really pay attention to them on a daily basis. I use after every meal (if possible) Colgate PreviDent 5000 for dry mouth.....1.1% Sodium Floride. For the trays on a daily basis, I use Colgate Gel-Kam.....0.4% Stable Stannous Floride and can be obtained over the counter. I also use Biotene Dry Mouth Mouthwash. And I'm going to assume for the rest of my life that I'll be going to the Dentist at least once every 4 months.

    Larry
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #14
    Kent Cass said:

    Aquaphor
    for my skin, and only used magic mouthwash for my mouth, except for the stuff they gave me to prevent thrush.

    kcass

    MAGIC MOUTHWASH
    IS THAT THE CAPHASOL 2 PART AMPULE THAT I AM USING NOW?
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #15
    luv4lacrosse said:

    MAGIC MOUTHWASH
    IS THAT THE CAPHASOL 2 PART AMPULE THAT I AM USING NOW?

    ?
    Not sure of the contents- though Scam no-doubt knows. All I've ever known it as is MM- the term used for it by everyone, including the people who provided it during my 4-day stay in the hospital. Stuff does help.

    Also, the Gum Dr. started me on Prevident toothpaste, and have been advised this will likely be very long-term. Did not start on it until a couple months post-treatment.

    kcass
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #16
    CajunEagle said:

    Dental Care
    I figure that as hard as I have to try and chew to swallow my food, the last thing I need is to lose my teeth. So, I really pay attention to them on a daily basis. I use after every meal (if possible) Colgate PreviDent 5000 for dry mouth.....1.1% Sodium Floride. For the trays on a daily basis, I use Colgate Gel-Kam.....0.4% Stable Stannous Floride and can be obtained over the counter. I also use Biotene Dry Mouth Mouthwash. And I'm going to assume for the rest of my life that I'll be going to the Dentist at least once every 4 months.

    Larry

    GREAT TIPS AND ADVICE
    I WILL BE LOOKING FOR THESE PRODUCTS AND WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO STEP UP THE QUANTITY OF BRUSHING PER DAY.


    THANKS ALLOT

    MIKE
  • abbimom
    abbimom Member Posts: 87 Member
    #17
    luv4lacrosse said:

    GREAT TIPS AND ADVICE
    I WILL BE LOOKING FOR THESE PRODUCTS AND WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO STEP UP THE QUANTITY OF BRUSHING PER DAY.


    THANKS ALLOT

    MIKE

    One thing my doctors
    One thing my doctors recommended me to do was to drink aloe vera juice to help with my mouth and my throat. But it does taste disgusting.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #18
    abbimom said:

    One thing my doctors
    One thing my doctors recommended me to do was to drink aloe vera juice to help with my mouth and my throat. But it does taste disgusting.

    Oral B SONIC E-Toothbrush
    I just got an 'Oral B Sonic' Electric Toothbrush made by Braun. I think other Co. have a similar product now. It vibrates at very high speed and does and amazing job cleaning the teeth. It was about $100 but a good investment. Mine came with 2 heads so my wife can also use it.

    I floss every day 1- 2 times and brush my teeth 3-4 times a day. I carry a (normal) toothbrush in my bag and keep one at work. Used toothpastes like Biotene or Sensodyn and avoid the mainstream Colgates etc.

    Lastly I use a product called GC Mousse when I got to bed. You smear it on your teeth and gum intersection and it protect you teeth at night from the lack of Saliva.

    Scam
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #19
    Scambuster said:

    Oral B SONIC E-Toothbrush
    I just got an 'Oral B Sonic' Electric Toothbrush made by Braun. I think other Co. have a similar product now. It vibrates at very high speed and does and amazing job cleaning the teeth. It was about $100 but a good investment. Mine came with 2 heads so my wife can also use it.

    I floss every day 1- 2 times and brush my teeth 3-4 times a day. I carry a (normal) toothbrush in my bag and keep one at work. Used toothpastes like Biotene or Sensodyn and avoid the mainstream Colgates etc.

    Lastly I use a product called GC Mousse when I got to bed. You smear it on your teeth and gum intersection and it protect you teeth at night from the lack of Saliva.

    Scam

    Purchase
    Where can I purchase the GC Mousse?

    I will try anything once or twice...
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #20
    Scambuster said:

    Oral B SONIC E-Toothbrush
    I just got an 'Oral B Sonic' Electric Toothbrush made by Braun. I think other Co. have a similar product now. It vibrates at very high speed and does and amazing job cleaning the teeth. It was about $100 but a good investment. Mine came with 2 heads so my wife can also use it.

    I floss every day 1- 2 times and brush my teeth 3-4 times a day. I carry a (normal) toothbrush in my bag and keep one at work. Used toothpastes like Biotene or Sensodyn and avoid the mainstream Colgates etc.

    Lastly I use a product called GC Mousse when I got to bed. You smear it on your teeth and gum intersection and it protect you teeth at night from the lack of Saliva.

    Scam

    GC MOUSSE
    Never heard of the Mousse product you referred to. OTC or Prescription?

    I currently use a Colgate motorized brush. One part of the head is stationary and the other part oscillates back and forth. Do you see a big difference with the Ultrasonic Devices?

    Mike

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