Lifestyle - How to keep healthy
DENTAL CARE
It is very important for everyone to take care of his or her teeth. Patients who have had treatment for cancer are more likely to have problems with their teeth because:
- Radiotherapy to the head or neck area can cause damage to growing teeth and their roots and occasionally a tooth doesn’t erupt properly. It can also cause some dryness in the mouth and the lack of saliva makes it easier for decay to start.
- Chemotherapy can also affect the teeth, particularly if you were young at the time of treatment. The enamel, the outer covering, can be of poorer quality than normal.
- If you have a metal bone replacement any “bugs” that enter the blood stream through tooth decay may cause a serious infection around the prosthesis. Similarly if you have had your spleen removed tooth decay can lead to serious infection.
For these reasons it is a good idea to regularly visit the dentist. They will be able to advise about all aspects of dental hygiene and arrange for any specialist treatment with an Orthodontist if needed.
It is very important for the dentist to know what treatment you have had in the past, as they may want to give you antibiotics before starting any dental treatment.
This website is produced on behalf of the CCLG Late Effects Group.
Edited by Dr Annie Griffiths | Contributors
Designed by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
© CCLG 2007