Teeth

Options
Nanahagg
Nanahagg Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with IDC left breast Dec. 2011 had lumpectomy and 30 radiation treatments, in Dec. 2012 I was diagnosed with IDC in my right breast had partial mastectomy and 30 radiation treatments. Lately started having problems with my teeth which were perfect before the cancer, went to the dentist today and she told me I have to have all of my teeth pulled the bone is gone. My oncologist never mentioned that I was supposed to see a dentist before I started radiation therapy, so now I've lost half of my breast and all of my teeth, I am mortified has anyone else had this problem?  My dentist says she doesn't understand why I was'nt informed of this by my oncologist.

 

Comments

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #2
    Options
    Nanahagg....

    Hi, I feel so many people, both being treated for cancer as well as those looking in are uninformed of the effect that treatment can have on teeth.

    My oncologist said little as well, but I had heard stories from someone else so scheduled an oral exam before starting chemo. It didn't make much difference though other than that I was aware of what may happen. I had had some old fillings and weak enamal and following chemo ended up losing most of my molars. Fortunately I was able to keep my own teeth top and bottom in the front to the eye teeth. I now have partials that feel and look pretty natural, yet prefer to eat without the bottom ones in....they seem to affect the taste buds or something?????

    I am so sorry for your situation and agree, whether or not anything can be done to save our teeth, our medical team should be informing people of the possible side effects!

    katheryn

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #3
    Options
    Hi.  I had chemo and was

    Hi.  I had chemo and was advised any dental treatment to be done before treatment because if anything cropped up during or for a while after the treatment it could cause major infection after dental work.   Did not have radiation.  Also, I did get jaw bone desease after chemo.  Did not know at first until I could not sleep on one side due to aching and ear ache on same side, plus constantly runny nostril also same side.  These are all signs.  I have been able to save my teeth by seeing a TMJ Specialist.  Wore a splint 24/7 for a year and now every night only for ever probably, as I also have a large spur and floating jaw...........  Phew.............  The splint opens the tube which supplies blood flow to the jaw and teeth from the ear.  This VERY SLOWLY  allows the small holes to replenish in the jaw and can strengthen the teeth.  If left too long the jaw bone will protrude through the gum, Yuk. I thought at first it was just plain  tooth sensitivity and had some root canals done, but then the aching stayed in the teeth that had been derooted.  They even looked to see if they had messed up.  Then a friends saw a TMJ guy and I went to him and immediately got good solid help.  Did not even need root  canals in the first place.  If you can please find a TMJ specialist for second opinion.  They will be local ones to you on Google and just put in TMJ make sure he has good reviews, mine is brilliant.

     

    sorry this is so long - hope it helps

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #4
    Options
    I was never informed either!

    I have bone necrosis from the.blogosphere and the.dentist.said all ppl the chem o added.to it.  So far I am down 2 molars have.3 of 4 lower front loosening the.tooth on top next to eye tooth.  Am not getting more.pulled until I have.n o choice, but dentist thinks I will lose more or all.

    I love t poo laugh and smile, find I am becoming ok B-) self conscious now!

    I wish naturalized this in advance, but I still ppl would have.had the treatments.  Without them I would.not.be here to know.  Definitely a hard trade off.

     

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    Options
    camul said:

    I was never informed either!

    I have bone necrosis from the.blogosphere and the.dentist.said all ppl the chem o added.to it.  So far I am down 2 molars have.3 of 4 lower front loosening the.tooth on top next to eye tooth.  Am not getting more.pulled until I have.n o choice, but dentist thinks I will lose more or all.

    I love t poo laugh and smile, find I am becoming ok B-) self conscious now!

    I wish naturalized this in advance, but I still ppl would have.had the treatments.  Without them I would.not.be here to know.  Definitely a hard trade off.

     

    Yes, I continue to have teeth issues = 3 years

    later after all treatments finished.  Just another lingering, sad side effort many of us are not aware of as 'we fight' for our lives.

    My suggestion ...  if POSSIBLE, see another Dentist and find out what his/her recommendation would be. 

    I am so sorry for all that you are going thru -

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #6
    Options
    VickiSam said:

    Yes, I continue to have teeth issues = 3 years

    later after all treatments finished.  Just another lingering, sad side effort many of us are not aware of as 'we fight' for our lives.

    My suggestion ...  if POSSIBLE, see another Dentist and find out what his/her recommendation would be. 

    I am so sorry for all that you are going thru -

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

    second opinion

    First of all, I am very sorry. please seek a secon opinion. Was this dentist watching you between 2011 and 2015? Bone loss is a gradual process, it  did not happended over night. I hope there is a reasonable solution, alternative to pulling all teeth out.

    Keep us posted

  • kjana
    kjana Member Posts: 30
    #7
    Options
    my teeth get bad even after

    my teeth get bad even after hormones

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #8
    Options
    kjana said:

    my teeth get bad even after

    my teeth get bad even after hormones

    I lost a tooth, too

    But NO ONE said a word about it being attributed to either chemo or radiation.  I developed an abscess on a tooth that had a root canal many years previously and the tooth had to go.  This was around 6 months after treatments.  I asked both the dentist and the oral surgeon if my treatments had anything to do with this and was told by both NO.  Since then (4 years), however, my remaining teeth are fine, so I guess I believe them about that one tooth issue I had.

    Please ask your oncologist about and investigate any other bone loss you may be having as well.  Pay attention to any bone pain you may have elsewhere.  Are you on an aromotase inhinibitor?

    Suzanne

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #9
    Options
    kjana said:

    my teeth get bad even after

    my teeth get bad even after hormones

    I lost a tooth, too

    But NO ONE said a word about it being attributed to either chemo or radiation.  I developed an abscess on a tooth that had a root canal many years previously and the tooth had to go.  This was around 6 months after treatments.  I asked both the dentist and the oral surgeon if my treatments had anything to do with this and was told by both NO.  Since then (4 years), however, my remaining teeth are fine, so I guess I believe them about that one tooth issue I had.

    Please ask your oncologist about and investigate any other bone loss you may be having as well.  Pay attention to any bone pain you may have elsewhere.  Are you on an aromotase inhinibitor?

    Suzanne

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #10
    Options
    Double Whammy said:

    I lost a tooth, too

    But NO ONE said a word about it being attributed to either chemo or radiation.  I developed an abscess on a tooth that had a root canal many years previously and the tooth had to go.  This was around 6 months after treatments.  I asked both the dentist and the oral surgeon if my treatments had anything to do with this and was told by both NO.  Since then (4 years), however, my remaining teeth are fine, so I guess I believe them about that one tooth issue I had.

    Please ask your oncologist about and investigate any other bone loss you may be having as well.  Pay attention to any bone pain you may have elsewhere.  Are you on an aromotase inhinibitor?

    Suzanne

    Teeth*

    I have always gone to the dentist every 6 months for my entire life and had my teeth cleaned/x rays etc.   I was told to get any dental work done before chemo/radiation.  The year after my treatments were over I had to spent about $5K on my teeth.  Our Teeth are pure Protein......like our nails and our hair.  Chemo stops the growth of our nails and hair and that is why we lose the hair off our heads and our nails look like we are R a c o o n s.  It would follow that our teeth would also be affected...as mine were.   But once I got them all refilled/recapped/and some root canals...they are fine.  No Bone loss....I agree with the other gal who said that bone loss takes a long time.  Gee I'm sorry you are going thru this and I hope you will get good answers and good treatments.  Sending you hugs and prayers for strength and courage.  Glo

  • Gm2873
    Gm2873 Member Posts: 65
    #11
    Options
    Teeth

    my oncologist had me go to my dentist before starting chemo, primarily because I would be getting Zometa, which can cause necrosis to the jaw. If your radiation was to the Breast and not head or neck, I don't understand why it would cause you to lose all your teeth. Chemo can do a number on our chemistries, but I wasn't aware radiation to the Breast would cause a problem like you are describing. I would definitely get a second opinion.

Discussion Boards