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?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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