Hi Jasper, Dental care is something that I am fairly obsessed about as I don't want to risk problems in the future. So I fully support the advice on regular use of flouride and good oral hygene. I brush my teeth after meals and carry around a soda bicarbonate mouth wash to rinse after sugary/acidic foods and drinks. I tend to avoid fruit drinks except for juiced fruit before breakfast. I did a lot of searching for suitable drinks to sup on for my dry mouth but ended but having to make do with water.

I had 10 molars out pre treatment because they had very large fillings. I asked about the possibily of dentures and my oncology dentist was very reluctant to consider it. It took ages for my gums to heal and they are still pretty lumpy feeling (now 19 mths on) so I don't think dentures would be very comfortable and with still having a dry mouth I think they would probably cause more damage than any benefit. The lack of back teeth to chew food is compounding my problems with swallowing but that is something I am learning to live with.

As part of my research on dental care I came across this book 'Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition' (available on Amazon) which opened my eyes to the problem of diet and tooth decay, in particular the pasturisation of milk. So I am now using raw milk to improve my absorption of calcium and vit D and E, and so hopefully stengthen my teeth. It is expensive and hard to source - in Scotland I can only get it online form a farm in south of England. Raw milk produced with good hygiene and disease free cows fed on healthy grass pasture I think is likely to be a lot safer than pasturised milk. However, I would not want to recommend this for poeple who are immune suppressed just incase, but I think it is definately worth considering once health and strength are back. I would be really interested to hear if any one else has thoughts on this. Sally

I have an appointment with the oral surgeon at my cancer center's otolaryngology department on September 12th.

Hi Jasper,

I unfortunately have had dental issues because of RT, and my teeth were in great shape before.

Some advice I got from my dental team was to use a water pick and an electric toothbrush. Also fluoride toothpaste in addition to the trays.

I agree with the other advice you have been given. Wishing you the best!

Kris has an appointment Tuesday with the Dental team. Despite taking great care, his teeth have have all broken off at the gums. It is time for some definitive treatment.
Tammy

I read a post during treatment about fluoride trays....... seems like it stated one type of fluoride solution was bad for our teeth, one that is commonly prescribed, and we should use a certain type. I can't find it now, does anyone know what I am talking about?

Hi Rosymonroe - yes, I remember that string as I came across it after my treatment and changed my flouride as a result. I can't figure out how to put in a link, but I think the thread you are looking for is 'Check your Flouride gel'. You could search for that or also search for 'acidulated' which is the type of flouride you want to avoid if you have any crowns, etc. (which is my case).

Best,
Nancy

My husband has had many dental problems over the 8 years since his treatment ended, in particular with the bottom teeth. They would break off at the gum or just completely fall out, despite constant visits to the dentist. So, last year, he had approx $15,000 in work to replace the bottom teeth with a bridge, anchored by the remaining 5 teeth on the right side, because the left side of his jaw is a titanium implant with no teeth. It's a year later and the bridge is no longer stable in his mouth. It's hanging on by a thread because the supporting teeth have deteriorated under the gum.

His restorative work is done at the University of Miami, in the same office as the surgeon who did his mandibulectomy two years ago (by Dr Marx, a top surgeon in jaw surgery). This week, Dr. Marx and the restorative dentist agreed that now he will have the remaining 5 teeth removed and get 4 implants to support a new bridge. They tried to avoid this, but there is no other option remaining. He has already had over 80 HBO "dives" for prior treatments, so Dr Marx said he won't need or benefit from more. Hopefully, all that HBO will allow the bone to hold the implants.

They are going to insert the bridge just a few days after the surgery, which is scheduled for Oct 17 (my husband won't have anyone else but Dr Marx, and that's his first available date). They will using an acrylic bridge.

They believe this will be successful for him because he eats a relatively soft diet anyway. They said that Medicare will pay for the implant surgery, but we will pay for the new bridge.

My husband wanted implants all along,. but they always said "no", so he is looking forward to this. Hopefully, it will end his constant dental work. I'll let you know how all this plays out.

Where (which teeth) are they planning on doing the implants?

I've been having dental issues for the past few years also. My 4 front lower teeth have been loose with increasing pain in that area. I had them removed earlier this year, did HBO again, and now I'm waiting for the OK for a bridge. The plan is a 10-tooth bridge involving the 3 teeth on each side of the 4 missing teeth.

Aside from the 4 front teeth, my remaining lower teeth are in good shape. I was told initially that implants were not an option, although recently some of my doctors said "maybe".

I know a few people that have had implants on their back teeth, but none involving the front teeth, so I'm curious which teeth your husband is having implants.

I hope all goes well with your husband, and please keep us posted.

Susan,

Sorry for delay. We were on a cruise for 10 days. Fortunately, my husband's bridge stayed in his mouth. The dentist thought that it would have broken off by now.

The 4 teeth will be implanted on the right side. He can't have any on the left side, as he has a titanium jaw on that side, and the titanium comes across part of his chin. I'm not sure exactly where they will place the implants. They plan to have the four implants support a bridge that will provide teeth for the front and sides of his mouth. I don't think they will go too far back. I will let you know when I have more details.

I have more details now. The bridge and the implants are for the lower, front teeth. The four implants will go across the chin, where he still has bone to support implants, and will support a bridge of 7 teeth (extra teeth will be in between the implants). A temporary bridge, made of acrylic, will be placed in his mouth at the time of implant surgery. After 6 months, he can have a permanent bridge (made of a stronger material than acrylic) to replace the temporary one, or he can just keep the temporary bridge as long as he is comfortable with it and it works.

As it turns out, the surgery has been postponed because the existing bridge is finally the secure and comfortable, after more than a year of constant adjustment and re-cementing. The doctor told him to just keep it until it starts to get loose again.