Chemo vs Tooth loss

[GBIRVMIC]

It's bad enough being bald now but today half my tooth fell out. I was told by my MacMillan nurse not to have any visits to the dentist until after chemo. Anyone else lost teeth with chemo and given this info?

Love Michelle x

[ValB2]

Hi Michelle,

Sounds grim.

I start chemotherapy tomorrow & was told to avoid the dentist.

I've bought an extra soft toothbrush & mouth wash.

I am probably going to get a bit obsessive about keeping my mouth clean!

Val

[OC1985 in reply to ValB2]

Hello Val, please ask about a special mouthwash to take during chemo. Sometimes the over counter can be harmful. My nurses told me about it and they will get it for you, or write a script for it.

[Whippit in reply to OC1985]

I can reinforce this - I was given some mouthwash that was not good. Best to get a prescription. xx

[ValB2 in reply to OC1985]

The nurse told me about the mouth at my first chemotherapy session yesterday but seemed to suggest they give it after your mouth gets sore.

Perhaps I'll ask for some next time.

I did ask which sort I should buy and they recommended the one advertised on TV where the actor has a missing tooth - Corsydle?

[Lost4Words]

Yes, I've been in exactly the same situation, hope it's not too painful.

The risk of infection is quite high so before I could have any dental treatment I had to have bloods checked and they were low so it was either delay further chemo and wait till bloods came up enough to have work done (inc a course of antibiotics) then restart chemo, or leave the tooth till after chemo.

Mine wasn't painful so I opted to wait. If it needs treatment now speak to your Mac nurse or unit before you do anything they should be able to advise you what to do.

[GBIRVMIC in reply to Lost4Words]

Mines not painful and it's a side tooth but unsightly.. I did think this was the norm so shall leave be. I don't want chemo delayed. Thanks for the update. Michelle x

[Lost4Words in reply to GBIRVMIC]

Hope it stays that way, It still might be worth speaking to them just in case things change. At least you'll know what you can/can't do if it gets painful.

I was also told I'll need to have bloods checked after I've finished chemo before dental treatment can go ahead.

[sharonforce]

I have had several problems with my teeth whilst being on chemo or trial drugs and have always been advised not to have dental work done because of the risk of infection. However I had one badly broken tooth that was causing me problems and so (with the agreement of my cancer doctors) I had a non-invasive temporary filling put in by the dentist (I have actually had it done twice now).

Recently another back tooth has broken but as it is not causing me problems I haven't done anything about it yet.

best wishes

Sharon

[OC1985]

I did have gum loss and an infection to a tooth that ended up causing a one month delay in Chemo to allow the Endodontist time to work on the infected area. I had to get good white cell counts and a letter from my Oncologist to allow the treatment. Had to have nupergin shots, then no Chemo until the entire process was completed. I was taking antibiotics during that time. After the procedure, I was fine most of the time, but did have gum damage and was given the nupergin shot, which helped the pain go away.

[Whippit]

I think I might see the dentist and explain the situation as they may help with dental hygiene and offer help, if necessary, as Sharon has had. The dentist will be able to reassure you if the tooth is perfectly OK to be left as it is for now and that might reduce your worries.

I avoid dentists during chemo and tend to have a checkup and any work done before I start. I now have a DVT which is being treated and instructions with that is not to see a dentist too. Very important, I should imagine, to concentrate on oral hygiene with our disease

xx Annie

[Hidden]

Hi Michelle

While on Caelyx/Carbo, I seemed to have constant mouth problems. My onc reduced the chemo quantities as my ulcers were unbearable - that made all the difference. My gums were v uncomfortable too. I didn't lose any teeth but I'm certain there's been movement. I constantly have food stuck between a pair of teeth, that wasn't a problem prior to chemo.

My onc told me that the only thing that chemo doesn't affect is your hearing; you can go ahead if you need those appointments but avoid dentist/optician etc.

What a lot of fun we have !! Best wishes - Pauline

[ponzlaw]

Yes same here lost 2 teeth aaaagggrrr

[rjhs]

I have had a nasty gum infection during first round chemo and had heavy duty antibiotics prescribed. This had been brewing away despite dental treatment for years but chemo seem to kill it off completely. I also broke a tooth during my second round and after consultation with oncology dept was told I could have a non invasive filling and my dentist put in a temporary one which is still there. I too, tend to have check ups before any treatment starts but chemo has been very hard on my teeth, wearing away enamel and giving them a wonky appearance which is very attractive. I also find now I have to use baby toothbrushes to protect my gums and am very careful eating anything crunchy. The joys!!! Rita

[TinaB1]

Hi there ..

Really sorry to hear about your tooth. I'm not sure if you can use this actually during chemo, but it's a toothpaste with a higher amount of fluoride which protects teeth more in patients at risk of dental loss.

colgateprofessional.co.uk/p...

Your dentist can write a prescription for Duraphat so it's worth asking about it. It's available in varying strengths. Xx

[Hidden]

Well I have had fillings during chemo and Avastin but not allowed any extractions. It worked out for me. Unfortunately I am finding post Avastin that my fillings are brittle, and seem to go from the outside rather than from the inside. So my dentist has seen me a few times since October. My teeth are heavily filled I have to admit. My onc prefers that poor Rob my dentist fills rather than extracts even post Avastin.

[Di16]

I didn't lose any teeth during chemo, but saw my new dentist shortly after finishing. He said he wanted to remove some roots that had previously been left behind, & didn't want to do any surgery so soon after chemo.

But I have now lost a tooth a year after finishing chemo, & I'm wondering why. Could there be a connection with having had chemo? Or could it be because I'm on hormone therapy now? I know that thinning of the bones is a possible side effect, & I've recently had a bone scan (I must ring up for the results) but I don't know whether it affects teeth too. Think I will question my dentist when I see him on Wednesday.

Di

[Katmal-UK]

Hi I've lost 2 teeth in the last couple of years and broken bits of 2 others. I believe its all to do with the 3 periods of chemo I have had in the last 8.5 years. Also I've noticed a change in my teeth colour which I believe is due to thinning enamel. My dentist has prescribed a high fluoride toothpaste which she gives me on prescription and also advises me not to rinse after brushing as this leave a coating on my teeth. I've never not been told not to visit my dentist during chemo. Kathy xxxx

[susu]

It's normal my love, the dentist will fix your teeth if possible as long as it's not extraction, the nurses in the chemo room should have mouthwash for you to take home if they haven't any, try Corsodyl mouthwash it should help, helped me. Xx

[Beth25]

I had to have dental treatment during chemo a couple of years ago but luckily my hospital has an onsite dentist so I was referred there as I had a problem with low neutrophils. They were used to seeing oncology patients on chemo and I had no problems. Maybe you could ask your CNS if such a service is available in your centre.

Best of luck, Beth

[cathy46]

I lost a tooth and still had some left in the gum So had it removed and there was a bit of infection so was put on antibiotics Had to leave my chemo for the following week .But all good now I'm on carbo /calex