Cancer Leukemia Living With Importance of Dental Care During Cancer Treatment By Karen Raymaakers linkedin Karen Raymaakers RN, CON(C) is a certified oncology nurse that has worked with leukemia and lymphoma patients for over a decade. Learn about our editorial process Karen Raymaakers Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on November 18, 2019 Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Doru Paul, MD Updated on February 09, 2020 Print Treatment for blood and marrow cancers can cause a number of changes to the tissues in your body, including those in your mouth. Whether you are receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a stem cell transplant, oral complications can cause big problems if not treated properly. Hero Images / Getty Images In fact, these types of side effects can actually limit the doses of medications or the timing of your treatments. Therefore, taking care of your mouth and teeth is an important part of your cancer care. What Kinds of Mouth and Dental Problems Can Cancer Treatment Cause? Cancer treatments affect both malignant cells as well as healthy ones. As with any side effect, certain therapies are harder on your mouth tissues than others and some people are more susceptible to these types of complications. Treatment for different types of cancer may cause side effects including : Oral mucositis, or painful sores in your mouth or throatTaste changesXerostomia or dry mouthBleeding gums and tissues, especially if you have low plateletsTooth decayNerve painChanges to jaw muscles, which may restrict how well you can open your mouth (“trismus”)Osteonecrosis or “bone death” from changes to the blood vessels that supply the bones of your jawImpaired tooth development in children with cancer These changes can lead to other complications, such as serious infection and decreased nutrition. Why You Should See a Dentist During Cancer Treatment Some of the dental problems that are caused by cancer treatment are unavoidable. However, with proper care and surveillance by a dentist, additional complications and treatment delays can be minimized. A dentist can help by: Identifying potential problem areas, such as loose or ill-fitting dental appliances, undiagnosed cavities, or unhealthy gumsCaring for infections in your mouth before they spread to your bloodstreamSuggesting strategies for maintaining your oral hygiene during treatmentPreventing complications that could lead to poor nutritionHelping you avoid the decreases or delays in treatment that oral complications can causeManaging or preventing mouth painKeeping your smile looking beautiful, even if you aren’t using it as much as usual Many centers have a dentist on staff that acts as part of the cancer care team. If this is not the case in your facility, it is important that you find a dentist who is knowledgeable about your cancer and its treatment. Your dentist should be in contact with your oncologist to coordinate care. If you have known dental problems, or require any dental procedures, discuss the best timing and approach with your cancer specialist. All patients with head and neck cancers who are scheduled to receive radiation to their oropharynx should see a dentist before starting radiation. What Can You Do to Reduce Mouth and Dental Problems During Cancer Treatment? You also play a role in avoiding mouth problems during cancer treatment. Here are a few things you can do to prevent complications: Follow a good mouth care protocolDrink lots of water or stimulate saliva production with sugar-free candy or gum to minimize dry mouthInspect the inside of your mouth daily for any changes, sores, or signs of infectionClean or rinse your mouth out after vomiting. Club soda or baking soda and water make great mouthwashesPrevent stiffness in your jaw muscles by exercising them! Stretch your mouth open as far as you can, then close it. Repeat several times each dayQuit smoking and avoid alcohol during treatmentAsk your doctor about fluoride treatmentsRequest pain control for sore mouth and throat so you can keep up good nutrition Remember that cancer patients may be at higher risk of dental problems for the rest of their lives. Keeping up with dental care on a long-term basis is an important part of survivor care. When to Contact Your Doctor You should call your specialist or nurse if you: Develop a feverNotice white patches or open sores in your mouthHave a painful mouth or throat, whether you can see a problem or notNotice your gums are bleedingAre experiencing a very dry mouth Summing It Up Cancer patients can be at a high risk of developing complications to their mouth and teeth, both as a result of their condition and the treatment of it. A dentist can be a very important part of your care during cancer therapy. If your dentist is not affiliated with your cancer center, be sure to let them know about your medical history and also let your oncologist know about your dental concerns. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health. Oral Cancer Care and You. Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do. September 2009 National Cancer Institute. Oral complications of chemotherapy and head/neck radiation. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries. Updated April 26, 2019. Kaste SC, Goodman P, Leisenring W, et al. Impact of radiation and chemotherapy on risk of dental abnormalities: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer. 2009;115(24):5817–5827. doi:10.1002/cncr.24670 Additional Reading Do, S., Goodman, P. Leisenring, W., et al. “Impact of Radiation and Chemotherapy on Risk of Dental Abnormalities: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study” Cancer December 15, 2009.