You should be seeing a dental oncologist, if you are he's probably thinking 1.5 weeks in is still safe because the real pain usually doesn't start until around week 3 - however - your having chemo too I assume, so your immune system will be compromised, add to that the possibility of being hyper sensitive to rads - some people are... And it could be very uncomfortable, plus any extra small nicks while cleaning could cause infection etc... I'm with the others push to be cleaned earlier.

I had a dentist, a qualified person, nice guy, who did my pre radiation fillings, extractions, but he was not a dental oncologist. I did not inquire about any dental trays, special fluoride nor was it recommended, except giving me chorhexadine, even though I knew of the others preventive measures. I was scared of any additional medications, doctors, after being beat up for a year, and went the local route with treatment, instead of my CCC. As such, other contributing factors, all my teeth need to be removed sometime soon, plus doing HBOT, 20 prior, 10 after, which I did two years ago. I'm just trying to hold off as much as posdible with no dental insurance now, plus not wanting surgeru surgery until after my Pet scan, but now is effecting foods I can eat, and pain sometimes. Proper oral care, and pre-radiation dental care is very important. If there is doubt with anything, radiation can be delayed. Once radiation is given, it can't be taken back, and should not unnecessarily be stopped.

I use biotene dry mouth products, mouthwash, toothpaste, gel, spray, gum.

David, it is just a cleaning. I already have my trays and I've already had xrays and an examination, my teeth are healthy. Before my surgery in the hospital the oral surgeons also did an xray to check for cavities as well. So yes, it is just a cleaning.

Cheryl, I'm fortunate enough to not need chemo as well. All the margins in my lymph nodes came back clear so chemo was taken off the table. I'm in for 38 radiation treatments.

I will definitely be looking into the biotene. I already wake up with pretty bad dry mouth, I want to counteract that as much as possible.

Typically, some platinum based chemo accompanies the radiation as a radio-synthesizer that improves the performance of the radiation treatment. It can also be given to help "mop up" any microscopic stray cancers so there are at least two reasons why chemo is done along rads.

Cisplatin and carboplatin are the most common chemos offered during rad treatment. One big bag every three weeks and smaller weekly dosage is also an option.

Personally, I would fee more UNcomfortable that chemo is not part of the radiation treatment. Check it out some more if you of the "hit it hard NOW" philosophy camp. If anything, rads are usually dialed down or out when someone young gets cancer as it permits more options in the event of cancer returning later. don

Added to DonFoo's excellent message, you should be aware that the purpose of the -platin chemo is to prevent cancer cells from dividing (reproducing) during the attack on them with radiation.

You seriously want to question your lead oncologist about this omission, and don't accept anything but a clear explanation that you are comfortable with, if they persist in not giving you the chemo.

The worst of the worst chemo is over and just a memory after 90 days.

In my view, it would be very short sighted to agree to avoid a relatively short (in the context of the rest of your life) unpleasantness in favor of a risk that could lead to a recurrence of the disease.

You do not want a recurrence, trust me on this. You are young and will throw off the effects of the treatment quickly. Don't blow your ONE chance of a long lifetime, for a reduction (NOT an elimination) of the (short lived) unpleasantness of the treatment.

Please!

Hi Josh, just wanted to check in and see how you are faring. I think you're about half way through and getting to the tough times. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and wishing you the best.

Hey Josh! First of all, I'm sorry to hear that you have the big "C". But I promise you, you can get through this! whatever you do keep pushing! Radiation will be tough but it will be over sooner than you know it! I'm also a youngy! I was diagnosed in November 2012 just a few days after my 19th birthday. But hey! I made it through! You can too! You can email me if you have any questions or just need to talk! I'm here for ya!