The Special Dental Needs of Patients with Cancer of the Head and Neck

Dental Care After Cancer Of The Head, Neck, Or Mouth
Dr. Luzar helps You Maintain Your Oral Health in Rancho Mirage

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about 43,000 people are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, tongue, or throat area each year, especially men over 40 and those who smoke. About 5,000 die, while the remaining 88% survive after treatment. Most oral cancers are discovered during routine dental checkups.

While many cancers can be eradicated through surgery, radiation, and other treatments, depending on factors such as tumor size, location, tumor aggressiveness, medical history, the side effects can be permanent. Fortunately, an experienced dentist with training in maxillofacial surgery and prosthetic placement can help you overcome many side effects of mouth and throat cancer as you celebrate your recovery.

Side Effects Of Head And Neck Cancer

During cancer treatments, undesirable, although not unexpected, problems may occur in the body.

• Surgery may take away part of the head, neck, and mouth, so that you lose teeth along with parts of the jaw, palate, tongue, throats, and neck. To overcome difficulty talking, eating, and swallowing, you may need permanent or temporary dental appliances.
• Chemotherapy can leave you with a dry, ulcerated mouth that requires medication and oral rinses during the time of your treatment. These side effects pass once you are well.
• Radiation can change the amount and quality of salvation, which can make you more likely to develop dry mouth leading to bacteria that increases acid. You become more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. To counteract this, you may need fluoride gel treatments or even a custom-made fluoride tray to apply it so as to prevent damage to your teeth, especially at the gumline.
• In addition, radiation can impact the ability for bone to heal or to risk infection. For some patients with periodontal deficiencies such as tooth looseness, gum loss, bone loss, or infection, extracting teeth before radiation may be the best way to prevent serious bone infection. Your dentist will thoroughly exam you and discuss options that are necessary to become cancer-free.
• Chemo and radiation treatments make your mouth so sensitive that brushing your teeth can be painful. If you have sores or ulcers in your mouth, a diluted solution of a quarter tablespoon each of baking soda and salt in a large glass of warm water will reduce soreness. If that doesn’t help, we may prescribe a numbing agent for the gums (viscous xylocaine), artificial saliva, antifungal rinses, or antibiotic rinses to get your through. Once your treatments are done, we will monitor your healing and take care of giving you a thought cleaning along with any restorative dental work that you need.

Support When You Need It From Dr. Lazar

If you have had cancer of the head or neck, cure rates are high so long as you pursue the recommended treatment. Dr.Luzar and our team will can diagnose, treat, and provide after care options for our patient who have cancer.

If you have a chronic sore throat or hoarseness, trouble chewing or swallowing, or patches, lumps, or sores in the mouth that don’t heal, call us today at (760) 674-8881 for an appointment to discuss your oral health. Even if you don’t have mouth pain, we can determine if your symptoms warrant a biopsy and further treatment.