It's critical to practice proper oral hygiene and get routine dental exams while receiving treatment for breast cancer. Find out about oral implications of breast cancer.
It's crucial to remember one's dental health even though this acts as a reminder to schedule your mammograms. Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of tooth decay and other dental issues, particularly chemotherapy patients. There are relationships between breast cancer and dental health.
Additionally, having poor dental health can make you more susceptible to adverse medication effects and may prevent you from receiving some cancer treatments. The best way to ensure that your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy before beginning cancer treatment is to visit a dentist. Your risk of infection can be decreased by doing this, which may also improve your body's ability to repair itself.
The Effects of Breast Cancer on Dental Health
The mouth could be impacted by additional side effects of breast cancer treatment. The medications used in chemotherapy and radiation therapy destroy normal cells in addition to malignant cells. This may lead to issues with the salivary glands, the soft, moist lining of the mouth, and the teeth and gums. Among these challenges are the following:
Mucositis is a severe kind of oral inflammation. This painful disorder can impair speech, taste, appetite, swallowing, and sleep. In the mouth, it feels like a third-degree sunburn. Due to the diminished salivary flow, dry mouth (xerostomia) can increase the risk of dental caries. Additionally, it may make it difficult to speak and eat.
Increased risk of oral infection. If the medication reduces white blood cells, which normally fight infection, deep cleanings and other invasive procedures like tooth extraction may increase the risk of post-operative infection. Your dentist may need to take additional safety precautions during and after the procedure.
Poor nutrition brought on by difficulty eating, dry mouth, or taste loss.
Severe toothache-like aching and burning discomfort.
Having trouble swallowing (dysphagia).
Changes in flavour that might be unpleasant or bland.
Oral candidiasis caused by the fungus.
Therefore, it is wise to visit a dentist about a month before beginning your cancer treatment to avoid significant issues. In order to guarantee that you receive the finest care possible overall, the dentist must also be in constant contact with the rest of your medical team.
Keep Your Dental Team Up To Date On Your Treatment
It is imperative that you let your dentist know if you are receiving treatment for breast cancer. This is because many of the medications used to treat this disease may have an effect on both your oral health and the potential need for dental procedures.
For instance, the use of chemotherapy medications may influence how quickly wounds heal after surgery. Although the majority of patients get either chemotherapy or radiation therapy, some patients also take bisphosphonates like Fosamax, Actonel, Prolia, and other medications. Some women use this drug because breast cancer therapies can result in bone osteoporosis. Actually, bisphosphonates support maintaining bone density and combat osteoporosis.
Unfortunately, there are hazards associated with this crucial medication. Recent research from the University of Southern California suggests that long-term bisphosphonate use may result in jaw bone loss. BRONJ, or bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, is the medical term for this illness. In essence, the bone is unable to repair properly. An injury to the bone, such as one caused by tooth extraction, might not heal fully.
The following may be an infection or necrosis (bone death). Although the likelihood of this is low, chemotherapy may make it worse. Therefore, intravenous bisphosphonate therapy should come before dental treatments and procedures that call for bone repair. Patients need to be aware of the significance of practicing proper oral hygiene and getting frequent dental exams.
Guidelines For Reducing Side Effects
Most individuals are aware that chemotherapy can cause hair loss. But most individuals are unaware that more than one-third of those receiving treatment for breast cancer may experience mouth-related side effects. These issues may impact your quality of life. Even cancer treatment might be complicated by pre-existing or untreated mouth illness. This is one justification for scheduling a dentist appointment at least a month prior to starting cancer therapy.
The cells that make up the mouth are constantly dividing. Your mouth will be vulnerable to injury because chemotherapy and radiation target specific cell types that recover quickly, even under normal conditions. Maintaining proper cleanliness can reduce the development of bacterial plaque, which will lessen the negative effects of breast cancer treatment.
For gum and tooth cleaning, use a soft toothbrush or sponge brush.
Gentle flossing
Use only alcohol-free mouthwash, preferably one that contains xylitol rather than saccharin.
Avoid receiving dental care when your doctor reports that your white blood cell count is low.
Avoid getting your teeth cleaned for about a week following chemotherapy.
Red gums that may bleed signal the beginning of inflammation. It is important to pay attention to even slight bleeding.
Use xylitol-containing toothpaste and gum.
Regular dental visits help detect problems before they occur.
Dentures should fit comfortably and be kept clean if you wear them. Ensure to remove them out at night.
Conclusion
It's essential to practice good dental hygiene and get frequent check-ups while receiving treatment for breast cancer. When facing significant and perhaps fatal problems, a toothache is the last thing you need. As a result, it is advised that a patient have great dental health prior to beginning cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. During the course of treatment and recovery, ignoring this aspect of your health has the potential to set off a variety of dental health problems.