My surgery was 2/2015. Doing well and am on a 3 month watch. Went to the Dentist and it looks like two of my briddges have to be replaced involving also 2 implants. Luckily I never had radiation or chemo.I have been referred to a peridontics implant specialist. Dennis and specialist both say this is due to severe dry mouth from surgery. Anyone experience this?

Hi Madelaine,

Maybe the surgery compromised your salivary glands. Dry mouth creates a lot of problems for teeth. The lack of saliva causes tooth decay. My husband was doing well with his teeth when he was using his fluoride trays every night until he got tired and said he having to put too much stuff in his mouth -- he had a c-pap machine, medication to take at night, etc. So he stopped using his fluoride trays. Within months he had to have a root canal and had a number of cavities. Dry mouth was the culprit.

I'll be asking the new Dentist about fluoride trays.first I heard of them. Thank you

Madeline, we sure have a lot in common. I too am 65, married 43 years and had a right mastectomy 15 years ago. I see that you live in Oregon, Our daughter lives in Camas, Oregon, such a beautiful area !

Sorry that you are having to deal with dental problems but glad you are working to get them under control. I too never heard about dental trays until I came to this site. I feel the myriad of doctors we see do a good job but sad they do let some very important issues fall through the crack.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

I recently had a crown put in. It was on a tooth that had a rather old and large filling. My dentist recommended I do this "before" it cracked. It might have been fine, or it might crack. Her reasoning was driven primarily based on my rad treatments and the difficulties I "might have" it the crack was deep. I did not have screws or anything. They just ground it down to a square stub and glued on crown.

So Far no issues.


No problems.

Madeline, flouride trays are for OC patients who are going thru radiation. Without rads its not necessary to use flouride trays unless your dentist sees a reason the patient needs them. But, Ive never seen a non-radiated OC patient who used the flouride trays so its important you ask your dentist if your situation would require the trays. Patients who have rads are the ones who must pay special attention to their dental needs as rads can do serious damage to the mouth.

Dry mouth can cause tooth decay. I used the fluoride trays during treatment, but stopped shortly afterwards. I continue to use a prescription fluoride toothpaste (PreviDent) - ask your dentist about this.