The Tribune

By Dr Andre Clarke

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it is very common for the person to become apprehensive about the diagnosis. It often strikes fear in many persons and such a diagnosis is received with the worst expectations.

Cancer is the general name given to a group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cancer occur when cells that are not normal grow and spread very fast. Normal body cells grow and divide and know when to stop growing. Over time, they also die. Unlike these normal cells, cancer cells just continue to grow and divide out of control and do not die when they are supposed to. These cancer cells then invade, intrude upon and destroy nearby tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other locations in the body via the blood and lymph. One way to stop the progression of the cancer is by chemotherapy.

How does chemotherapy affect the mouth?

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer. The chemotherapy medication is often given through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or taken by mouth. It usually works very well at destroying cancer cells, but unfortunately, it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and a healthy cell. Therefore, both healthy cells and cancer cells are affected by chemotherapy drugs. Healthy cells can generally repair the damage caused by the chemotherapy, but cancer cells cannot and so they eventually die.

It is when healthy cells are affected in the body that the chemotherapy medication is noted to have side effects. Some of these side effects do occur in the mouth such as soreness and ulcerations of the mouth, mouth infections, dry mouth, and bleeding gums.

Side effects in the mouth must be taken seriously. Not only are the effects on the mouth painful and make it hard to eat, talk and swallow, but they make it more likely to get infections. These infections can be very serious and sometimes can be life threatening.

If the mouth side effects are very serious, the medical doctor may decide to reduce the chemotherapy treatment being given, and in some cases, decide to stop it.

All persons will not have the same side effects from chemotherapy medications. The side effects depend on the chemotherapy drug used, the dose of the drug used and how your body reacts to the drug. Sometimes side effects occur only during the chemotherapy treatment, but it is also common to experience side effects for a short time after the treatment ends.

Why and when should I see a dentist?

The role of your dental healthcare professional is paramount in your cancer treatment. If an individual goes to the dentist before the commencement of chemotherapy treatment, it is possible to reduce the probability of having serious mouth problems.

Many side effects occur because an individual’s mouth is not healthy before the chemotherapy starts. It is impossible to avoid all mouth problems associated with chemotherapy, but the fewer the side effects you have, the more comfortable you will be in your experience during the fight against the cancer.

It is advised that persons should see a dental healthcare professional, a minimum of two weeks before starting any chemotherapy regime. If you have already started chemotherapy and did not consult with a dental healthcare professional prior, you should see them as soon as possible.

There is a lot you can do a lot to keep your mouth healthy during chemotherapy. Once treatment starts, it is important to inspect your mouth daily for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, white patches or bleeding. If you notice any changes, it is prudent to alert your dental healthcare professional, immediately.

It is equally as important to practice good oral hygiene maintenance during the chemotherapy treatment. Individuals must keep their mouths moist; clean their mouths, tongues and gums; and avoid potential mouth irritant foods.

When keeping the mouth moist, it is essential to drink a lot of water, suck ice chips, and use sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy.

It is also crucial when cleaning the mouth, tongue, and gums that persons:

Brush their teeth, gums, and tongue with an extra soft toothbrush, after every meal and at bedtime. If brushing continues to hurt, in spite of using extra soft toothbrushes, it is necessary to further soften the toothbrush bristles in warm water.

Use fluoride toothpaste.

Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol in them.

It is paramount to stay away from foods that are sharp and crunchy (e.g. taco chips) that could scrape or cut the mouth, and hot, spicy, or high in acid (e.g. citrus fruits and juices), which can irritate the mouth.

Also, it is very important that τoothpicks should never be used because toothpicks can cut the mouth. The use of tobacco products and alcoholics drinks should be reduced, and if possible, stopped.

Remember to visit a dentist before cancer treatment starts and discuss any mouth concerns with the dentist. It is also necessary to take good care of the mouth during the chemotherapy treatment by following some of the above helpful hints. Do not let mouth problems affect the dose of chemotherapy given to you to speedily kill the cancer cells. Every moment counts.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and may not be treated as, a substitute for professional medical/dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or dental professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical/dental condition. Never disregard professional medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of a purely informational publication. If you have questions, please send email to dr_andreclarke@hotmail.com.