Oral Health and
Chemotherapy
Periodontist or oncologist? For
those dealing with cancer treatment, a relationship with your oncologist may be
just as important as the one with your dentist. Chemotherapy offers many positives in
preventing the growth of cancers; however, this powerful treatment can cause a
few issues along the way. Oral health
complications is one common discomfort many chemo patients face, but Drs.
Versman, Heller, and Beckman want to shed some light on how to practice the
best oral health habits to maintain hygiene and comfort during chemo treatment.
There are many
different types of chemotherapy so it is important to talk with your doctor for
more specific information, but we will discuss a few side effects. One of the more common side effects is
mucositis. Musositis is the ulceration
of the mucosa lining in the digestive tract which includes the oral
cavity. When this occurs, the feeling
for each patient varies as some can experience inflammation and redness while
others succumb to more severe ulceration. Mouth sores can occur on your tongue and
mouth. Periodontal Associates give this advice in preventing and treating these
sores:
1.
Drink
plenty of water – at least 64 ounces – although more than 64 ounces is
suggested especially when living in dry climates such as Denver, CO.
2.
Stay
hydrated with drinks enhanced with electrolytes
3.
Avoid
caffeine and alcohol as they dry out your tongue and gum tissue
4.
Eat
soft foods – Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman will be happy to give you a list
of good foods to eat as we suggest the same thing for our Aurora patients after
gum graft and dental implant treatment.
5.
Avoid
citric and spicy foods and/or juices
6.
For
denture patients, use them for meals only allowing your gums to rest when not
eating
7.
Brush
with soft toothbrushes and floss gently to avoid gum irritation – Stop by
Periodontal Associates and we will give you a brush for free.
Other side effects can be impaired taste buds, erosion of tooth
enamel, and ulcerated gingival tissues.
Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman are gum specialists, and visiting them
regularly is important. Our doctors
examine each patient at every visit monitoring the progression of gum disease,
mouth sores, and oral cancers. For
discomfort, Drs. Versman, Heller, and Beckman will not hesitate to prescribe or
educate you in oral hygiene procedures, pain control medications, or oral mouth
rinses to alleviate any tenderness.
Your oncologist should stress the importance of visiting your dentist
before starting chemotherapy to discuss and prepare for possible mouth concerns.
Periodontal Associates patients are treated more gently as many of
our patients experience gum disease. Our
doctors and hygienists are specially trained to treat our Aurora patients more
gingerly as many with periodontal disease or chemotherapy patients need special
attention to overcome sensitive gums. If
you have any concerns about bleeding gums, mouth sores, tenderness, recession,
or any discomforts in your mouth, do not hesitate to call Periodontal Associates and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ken Versman, Dr. Doug Heller,
or Dr. Eric Beckman. We strive to offer
each patient individual treatment plans that revolve around your personal
health needs to offer not only protection and optimal health but also comfort
and esthetics.
Click here to schedule an appointment, call us at (303)
755-45000, or browse our website at www.periodontalhealth.com for more information. Don’t be in the dark when it comes to your
oral health especially when dealing with other diseases and medication
uses. Let Drs. Versman, Heller, and
Beckman be a role in your team of specialists to provide you relief and
health.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman would like to thank you for taking the time to visit their blog and we would love to hear from you!
For more information, to schedule an appointment or a dental consultation, please visit us at www.periodontalhealth.com