Were you recently informed that you had cancer and you should start treatments for it soon? Understandably, in this kind of situation, you may not be immediately thinking of your dental health. However, the treatments that you may undergo can adversely affect your smile, and today we’d like to provide a few tips on protecting it.
An organization called the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, believes that you should visit our dentists at least once a month before any medical therapies begin. They encourage this because the treatments may weaken your immune system and if you came in before they began you may be able to get any dental problems resolved. One common side effect you may experience is dry mouth. If it happens, you can suck on a piece of ice, chew on some sugar-free gum or use an artificial saliva product that our dentists may recommend to help prevent tooth decay.
To protect your teeth, you might want to brush after eating and before going to bed each night with a soft-bristled brush and a mild-tasting toothpaste. Keep in mind that toothbrushes can store a lot of bacteria, so you may want to replace it regularly. Your mouth could become more sensitive during treatment and you may need to brush and floss more gently. You could even notice some slight bleeding, but if it seems heavy you should contact Drs. Frederick Stark and Brad Norden or your cancer team immediately.
To get more information in Derby, Kansas, about protecting your dental health during your cancer treatments, please contact Derby Family Dentistry at 316-788-4000 today. We want you to enjoy the best dental health you can.