#83873 11-10-2008 09:42 AM | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 | How soon after completing treatment have people gone for first dental checkup/cleaning? Does cleaning require more than one session due to difficulty keeping mouth opening, discomfort, etc.
I read an earlier post on this board recommending 2 out of 4 annual checkups with periodontist and that hygenist should clean below gumline. Any other recommendations from experienced members?
I am concerned because we do not have a dentist in our area specializing in treatment of cancer patients. We went to Dana-Faber for second opinion oncology consult and I am considering a dental consultation there. Any thoughts?
CG to husband, dx @ age 65, nonsmoker/social drinker. Dx 5/08 SCC Stage IV, BOT T1N2aM0. 33 IMRT - completed 9/12/08. Induction Chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU), plus concurrent Cisplatin. 1/09 PEG removed; 5/09 neg PET/CT; 5/10 PET/CT NED Dental extraction & HBOT 2013; ORN 2014; Debridement/Tissue Transfer & HBOT 2016
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | My dentist scheduled my first post Tx appt 4 months post Tx. I use to go every 4 months before and I'm still on that schedule and he treats me just like he did before cancer knowing that I see my docs at Moffitt every 6 months.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | My teeth were cleaned by my periodontist every two weeks during radiation and are now cleaned every two months by either periodontist(4x years) or dentist(2x year).
When were they last cleaned? If it has been some time, I'd get them cleaned as soon as possible. What condition is you mouth in? Will it tolerate a cleaning?
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | I suppose it will depend on your over-all oral health. My periodontist said to come in 2months post tx then maybe every 4 months after that...it just depends on tooth and gum health. The more issues the more times in the dental chair.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer 8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35 11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 | My husband had pre-tx dental evaluation with deep cleaning and one tiny cavity filled. No other problems discovered. Since he doesn't see a periodontist, I will talk to regular dentist first, schedule a cleaning within the month, and go from there.
Would a dental consult at a cancer center be warranted, if oral condition and hygiene is good? Lottie
CG to husband, dx @ age 65, nonsmoker/social drinker. Dx 5/08 SCC Stage IV, BOT T1N2aM0. 33 IMRT - completed 9/12/08. Induction Chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU), plus concurrent Cisplatin. 1/09 PEG removed; 5/09 neg PET/CT; 5/10 PET/CT NED Dental extraction & HBOT 2013; ORN 2014; Debridement/Tissue Transfer & HBOT 2016
| | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | I was told to wait at least two months before scheduling my first cleaning. So, I have it scheduled for next week.
It was the luck of the draw I guess, but my Periodontist is one that the Prosthodontic doctors at the Cancer Centers refers OC patients to. He treats other OC patients who have had radiation and knows what to look for.
He also had two summer interns and when he saw me before I started Tx, he went over everything with them from daily Fluoride, and gum line cavities to extraction problems and HBO treatments.
He doesn't do the actual cleanings, but told me to make sure each time to remind his staff that he must personally check me out.
Last edited by DonB; 11-10-2008 07:05 PM. Reason: typo
Don TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm HiRes CT 6/21/08 Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08 PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08 35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | My dentist made 2 visits to my house (without asking or charge) during my Tx just to see if he could make things better for me. It made me feel good after he left.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 | My husband spoke to our regular dentist this AM about when to proceed with cleaning/check-up. To our surprise, he offered to stop at our house to do an evaluation first. It is such a relief, as any little thing that makes life easier at this point, is so welcome after all this stress. Lottie
CG to husband, dx @ age 65, nonsmoker/social drinker. Dx 5/08 SCC Stage IV, BOT T1N2aM0. 33 IMRT - completed 9/12/08. Induction Chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU), plus concurrent Cisplatin. 1/09 PEG removed; 5/09 neg PET/CT; 5/10 PET/CT NED Dental extraction & HBOT 2013; ORN 2014; Debridement/Tissue Transfer & HBOT 2016
| | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246 Likes: 1 | Dentist made house visit yesterday. He recommended use of tongue scraper, in addition to continued use of Biotene toothpaste & rinse, baking soda/salt solution, and flouride trays. Cleaning will wait another month, as he pronounced oral hygiene excellent, with no evidence of problems at gumline.
Another issue settled for now. Lottie
CG to husband, dx @ age 65, nonsmoker/social drinker. Dx 5/08 SCC Stage IV, BOT T1N2aM0. 33 IMRT - completed 9/12/08. Induction Chemo (Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU), plus concurrent Cisplatin. 1/09 PEG removed; 5/09 neg PET/CT; 5/10 PET/CT NED Dental extraction & HBOT 2013; ORN 2014; Debridement/Tissue Transfer & HBOT 2016
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