Many of the treatments men undergo for PC can cause dental problems. Removing a tooth or teeth can leave long term open wounds that won’t heal. My guy has been dealing with non-healing mouth wounds from two pulled teeth for over 18 months. Recently we found something, recommended by an oral surgeon, that is helping heal his mouth sores. It’s called Stellalife Vega Oral Care Gel. It’s not cheap ($35) but a bottle lasted about a month or so. And when it’s always painful to eat, it’s a Godsend.
I rarely recommend a product, as everyone’s journey is so different. But Pat has lived on Oragel for too long and I’m so happy something is actually helping heal the wounds and has given him relief. So I’m just passing it along for anyone else who may be suffering with similar problems and might want to give it a try. I ordered it off Amazon.
Glad you found something that works for him. I use Crest Pro Health mouthwash. It clears up any problems in my mouth, and helps my gums heal after cleanings.
A very common effect of many cancer treatments particularly involving multiple treatments over time, is dry mouth. It causes many dental problems because the salivary glands are inhibited so constant flow across the mouth stops. It is also annoying and can make eating painful. If you have it you should feel it. Constant sips of water. The way to handle it is to stimulate the salivary glands. Sucking sugar free fruit drops (or even a lemon) works but a better way is an oral gel that does the job. Not all oral gels do the job. I don't know what is in yours but I suspect there may be some enzymes that stimulate the salivary glands. I use a gel called Oral 7 rehydrating mouth gel which is available here in Australia and it definitely works in comparison to other oral gels without the enzymes. Dry mouth can be debilitating.
I put some on my tongue and swish it around and try not to swallow. It lasts for a few hours and when I get up to have a piss, take some more. It doesn't take much to get the salivarys going. Its made in the UK but they have agents in Europe, Asia, Australia and US/Canada.
Thanks for that. For info following radio to the neck area (nothing to do with PC) several years ago I have been using a mouthwash called Biotene before going to bed. It lasts about 3 hours till dryness wakes me up and then I use it again. No need during the day. Am always on the lookout for a longer lasting medication, will check out Oral 7.
I tried Biotene. Generally I think mouthwashes don't work so well. There is a biotene gel as well. Neither lasted anywhere near as long as the oral 7. My local pharmacist stocks it. I think the Stellalife gel that LonnieLue mentioned may also be good.
I would avoid lemon--esp. in the setting of dry mouth it could do significant damage to the teeth.
I had a look at the ingredients of Oral 7--while some may indirectly stimulate salivation, it is basically (like Biotene rinse) primarily an oral lubricant. It's worth a try.
For severe cases, systemic sialogogues (substances that stimulate the salivary glands) can be used--pilocarpine and cevimeline.
Two dentists and my hygienist and her alternate have both remarked on the health of my gums. In the late 70's a friend, a nurse who taught college classes told me that taking several grams of vitamin C over the course of the day would help prevent bleeding gums and help lead to gum health. She mentioned that when talking about a friend whose gums had been bleeding.
Taking a gram of C with meals might be helpful.
I didn't switch dentists. The original retired and sold the business to spend his days on Florida golf courses. The new owner passed with flying colors so I am still there.
About a year ago I had to get a tooth , rear molar, removed, and was aware of this potential problem. I had a 20 year old root canal done on the tooth, but the root tip was becoming infected, evident on X ray. Instead of just getting the tooth pulled, I decided to go to an Periodontal surgeon. Just with local anesthetic, like a regular dental visit. I specifically looked for a surgeon that can do Platelet Rich Plasma treatment. He removed the tooth carefully, by cutting it in half first. Repaired the bone with bone graft, added Platelets, and Fibrin to speed up the healing process, and closed the wound.
It healed perfectly, and now on an X ray, one can hardly even see that there ever was a tooth there, the jaw bone healed completely, even though I am on Bisphosphonates treatment for ADT induced Osteopenia.
We have. It’s just the meds he’s on. They slow or stop healing. But wounds don’t get worse. I was just passing along something that finally worked for him.
Any port in a storm . With osteopenia my bones including my jaw bone lost much density . 7 yrs no t and adt for me . I had a gold crown go bad . We drilled for a post . But the bone collapsed . So I have one tooth missing now . I’m now Just waiting for more to fail in time . Next one , no more post . I’ll just pull it . Good luck to you ! 😎✌️
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