#39133 09-12-2005 02:39 PM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6 | Hi, my husband is going to get the radiation and chemo treatment soon for the cancer at the base of his tongue. Many of you who went through the treatment talked about the various dental care stuff for use during and after the treatment. I also read some people said that they wish they had used certain dental care stuff so as not to have the suffering as they experience now. I'd like to ask for a list of the dental care we should prepare for the treatment. My husband doctor mentioned a couple of solutions he should use. But it seems there are many more stuff we need to get. Thank you for your help.
Yan | | |
#39134 09-12-2005 06:34 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hello Yan, My dentist "sealed" the wear surfaces of my teeth before I started treatment. In addition, floride treatments help. His dentist should be able to advise him about which brand of floride product may suit him better. Some here use trays for the floride treatment and do it quite frequently. Weekly floride treatment should be ok. I do one once a month. Brushing should be done 3 or more times a day.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#39135 09-12-2005 07:58 PM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 28 | Hello
When brusing got painful and the RT created lesions on my tounge I used childrens milk teeth toothpaste, had the all the benefits and non of the pain!
Steeplechase
SCC Left tonsil removed, T1N2/3 May 2005, left radical neck dissection and wisdom tooth removed, 32 lymph nodes removed, 1 infected. 33 Fractions of RT, 2 doses of Cisplatin and a NG tube for 4 weeks! Treatment ended Mid August 2005.
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#39136 09-12-2005 08:40 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Here's a list for you:
1. Biotene toothpaste (most stores have this)
2. Baby's toothbrush (easier on the gums)
3. WaterPik
4. Custom flouride trays (about 200+ bucks from your dentists)
5. Ask them for prescription strength flouride foam to go with them (far superior to OTC stuff)
6. Biotene mouthwash (do NOT use mouthwash with alcohol in it)
7. Yarn type dental floss - easier on the gums - this stuff is harder to find but usually drug stores have it - it has a candy cane logo on the container (J&J)
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#39137 09-13-2005 01:16 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | When I got to the point during radiation that I couldn't even tolerate a baby toothbrush, my nurses gave me little sponge-type swabs to help work the toothpaste around (which I then followed with flossing).
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#39138 09-13-2005 02:14 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 | What Gary and Cathy said applys. I had no dental problems. I used the trays every night with floride.
Steve
SCC, base of tongue, 2 lymph nodes, stage 3/4. 35 X's IMRT radiation, chemo: Cisplatin x 2, 5FU x2, & Taxol x2. Hooray, after 3 years I'm in still in remission.
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#39139 09-13-2005 09:21 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Regarding the ultra soft toothbrush for the most difficult period in the middle of treatments when the mucocitis is at its worst, the Laclede/Biotene web site has an adult size Ultra/ultra soft one for sale. I started out with the softest ones from the drug stores, changed to this Laclede brush when it was really tender in there, and then went back to the ultra soft drug store version towards the end. It goes without saying that during this period of time, I didn't care about my mouth that much since I was in so much pain...but no matter how disinterested or painful, patients HAVE to keep up their hygiene during this period of high risk for periodontal disease and caries. I would add to the list pf Gary's Biotene's Oral Balance gel to smear on the soft tissues during the night so they don't dry out, particularly if there is mouth breathing involved. The Biotene mouthwash was also helpful during the days, as it has glycerin in it and that helped keep things bearable. Least I sound too much like and advertisement for their products, the lack of SLS that is an irritating detergent in their toothpastes, and the lack of extremely strong flavors that burn really made a difference. Also worth having on hand, baking soda and salt for rinses to help with healing and cutting the mucous. As the doctors for some kind of lidocaine mouth rinse for when things really get sore. Variously known as
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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#39140 09-13-2005 02:55 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I had some personal emails about the flouride foam. There are two that I know of: Butler 0.9% (pH) Neutral Flouride Topical Foam and one by Oral B. Note that these are prescriptive and you can only get them through your dentist. I tried the Oral b at the dentist office and I am going to switch to that when my can runs out. The foam is great, you use very little and it stays in place. You can get many different flavors as well.
From what I have heard, these are clearly superior to any OTC stuff. The pH neutral is very gentle on the tissues. It's a 5 minute treatment.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#39141 09-13-2005 03:18 PM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6 | I am very grateful for the help you offered to me. Last night after I sent the message, I surfed the postings. Some people mentioned using drugs for dry mouth problem. I am wondering whether there are other dental problems besides the dental care we sould prepare. Thanks again for your help.
Yan | | |
#39142 09-13-2005 05:03 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | ph neutral also does not etch the surface of your teeth... or porcelain crowns.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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